Home appliance provided with viewing window

ABSTRACT

According to an implementation of the present disclosure, a home appliance includes a cabinet defining a reception space therein, a front plate disposed at a front part of the reception space and having an opening part, a door configured to open and close the opening part, the door having a viewing window provided at the door, a sensor assembly configured to detect a vibration and output a corresponding vibration signal, a lamp configured to illuminate an inside of the reception space, and a controller configured to operate the lamp based on the vibration signal output by the sensor assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371of International Application No. PCT/KR2020/006335, filed on May 14,2020, which claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2020-0055051, filed on May 8, 2020. The disclosures of the priorapplications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a home appliance. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a home appliance providedwith a viewing window through which the inner space of the homeappliance can be seen from the outside.

BACKGROUND

Home appliances that are provided with a door and configured to receiveobjects in an internal space thereof are widely used. In some examples,these home appliances can include cooking equipment, a refrigerator, anda clothing processing device.

In some cases, each of these home appliances can be provided with areception space for receiving objects in a cabinet constituting anexterior, and a door for opening/closing the reception space. In someexamples, two or more doors having the same shape or different shape maybe provided as needed.

In some examples, the door of a home appliance can be opaque, so inorder to see any of the objects that are accommodated in the receptionspace, it may be necessary to open the door of the home appliancebecause the objects cannot be seen from the outside.

In the case of a home appliance such as a refrigerator or an oven, whena door is opened to see the inside thereof, cold air or heat inside canleak to the outside, which may cause unnecessary energy loss.

In some examples, a home appliance such as an oven, a washing machine,and a drying machine can have a viewing window mounted to the door ofthe home appliance such that an object inside can be viewed through theviewing window, but the object cannot be properly checked at night or ina dark environment.

In some examples, a home appliance can include a lamp that can be turnedon and illuminate the inside of the reception space with a knockingmotion of a user lightly tapping the door of the home appliance withoutopening the door.

In some examples, when a sensor detects a sound wave generated by aknock input applied to a door, a lamp can operate.

Furthermore, in another example, a sensor can include a microphone part,wherein the microphone part protrudes toward an external glass to bedisposed to face the external glass, and receives a knock input as asound wave through the external glass.

However, in some cases, in order for a sound wave generated by a knockto reach the sensor, a single medium is required to be provided betweena knock position and a sensor position so as to maintain the continuityof the medium for transmitting the sound wave to the sensor, so theinstallation position of the sensor can be very limited. Additionally,in the case of a home appliance such as an oven, when a sensor isattached to the door of the home appliance, high-temperature heat can betransmitted to the door, so the sensor can malfunction due to thehigh-temperature heat.

For example, in a refrigerator, in addition to a vibration due to aknock, various vibrations such as a vibration of the refrigerator or avibration generated by other external forces may occur, but the homeappliance cannot distinguish the vibration generated by the knock fromthese other vibrations, so a situation in which a knock is erroneouslydetected may occur. In some cases, the continuity of a medium ismaintained between a position to which a knock can be applied and theinstallation position of a sound wave sensor.

In some examples, when the continuity of a medium is not maintained, theattenuation width of a sound wave transmitted through heterogeneousmedia can be relatively large, so the intensity of the sound wavegenerated by an impact applied to other parts of a refrigerator otherthan a front panel, can be sufficiently attenuated.

In some examples, when detecting a knock input by distinguishing a soundwave generated by a knock applied to the front panel from other soundwaves by using the attenuation width of the sound wave, the malfunctionof the sensor generated by impacts or vibrations applied to parts otherthan the front panel can be significantly reduced. In some cases, aknock input is detected by using the attenuation width of the sound wavesignal, so vibration which does not occur in the front panel is notrecognized as a knock.

In some examples, the sound wave sensor can be required to be attachedto the front panel, wherein the installation position of the sensor canbe limited, and the sound wave sensor can be used to distinguish a knocksignal generated on the front panel from a vibration generated by othercauses, but the use of such a sound wave sensor may have difficulties.

In some cases, since the sensor is configured to detect a sound wave,the sensor can detect a knock input by considering only the intensityand pattern of the sound wave generated by the knock, therefore soundwaves generated by factors other than a knock can be erroneouslyrecognized as the knock.

In some cases, sound wave detection cannot consider the direction of alocation at which a sound wave is generated, so it is difficult todetermine the location at which the sound wave is generated. Forexample, it can be difficult to distinguish a sound wave generated by aknock on the door from a sound wave generated by other factors at alocation other than the door. Therefore, there is a problem in that evenwhen a sound wave having a pattern and intensity similar to the soundwave of knock is received, the sound wave is erroneously detected as aknock.

In some examples, in the case of a home appliance having a hightemperature therein, such as an oven, a sensor may malfunction due toheat transmitted to a viewing window, so it can be difficult to installthe sensor on the viewing window, and when a sensor is installed at alocation other than the viewing window, the performance of the sensorwhich detects a knock input can be deteriorated.

In some cases, a sensor that detects sound waves can be installed on thedoor by being pressed thereon, but there may be a problem in that thedetection rate of the sensor varies depending on the degree of thepressing. For example, when the sensor is forcibly pressed, thedetection rate of the sensor can be decreased, and when the sensor islightly pressed, the sensor can react to a surrounding sound wave, suchas the sound wave of a motor.

In some examples, in the conventional home appliance, when a vibrationsensor is used for knock detection, it can be difficult to filter noisevibration other than a knock, so a sound wave sensor may be installed.For example, when it is difficult to attach the sensor to a door due tohigh heat, such as in the oven, the sensor may be required to beinstalled at another location, but in this case, the attenuation ofsound wave transmission increases, so it can be difficult for the sensorto perform precise detection of a sound wave and to filter noisesignals.

In some examples, in the case of a home appliance, advanced functionsfor convenience are continuously being added, and manipulating devicesfor multifunctionality by which many additional functions can bemanipulated are being added to the door. In some cases, since the designand manufacture of the door become more complicated, devices or elementsfor newly added functions can be installed in parts other than the door.

For example, although the size of a viewing window and a display mountedon the door continues to increase, it can be difficult to provideadditional space to the door for additionally arranging devices such assensors, elements, and modules for advanced functions on the door.Therefore, the need to attach the associated devices to a location otherthan the door is emerging.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the subject matter described in thisapplication, a home appliance can include: a cabinet defining areception space therein, a front plate disposed at a front part of thereception space and having an opening part, a door configured to openand close the opening part, the door having a viewing window provided atthe door, a sensor assembly configured to detect a vibration and outputa corresponding vibration signal, a lamp configured to illuminate aninside of the reception space, and a controller configured to operatethe lamp based on the vibration signal output by the sensor assembly. Insome implementations, the sensor assembly can be disposed at the frontplate.

In some implementations, a hinge bracket can be disposed at a rearsurface of the front plate, the hinge bracket supporting the frontplate.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly can be disposed at thehinge bracket.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly can be disposed at the rearsurface of the front plate and is in contact with the hinge bracket.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly can include: a base onwhich a PCB substrate is provided, and a protruding part provided at arear surface of the base, wherein the protruding part is coupled to arear surface of the front plate by being in contact therewith, and therear surface of the base is spaced apart from the rear surface of thefront plate by a predetermined distance.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly can further comprises abent part which protrudes in a lateral direction of the base and is bentin multiple steps, wherein the bent part can be in contact with a hingebracket.

In some implementations, a hinge arm can be disposed at a front surfaceof the front plate and configured to rotate the door.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly can be disposed to be incontact with the hinge arm.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly can be disposed at a rearsurface of the front plate and can be in contact with the hinge arm.

In some implementations, an end part of the hinge arm can pass throughthe front surface of the front plate and a rear surface of the frontplate through a through hole defined in the front plate.

In some implementations, the hinge arm can include a first hingeextension part disposed at the front surface of the front plate, and asecond hinge extension part disposed at the rear surface of the frontplate.

In some implementations, a hinge bracket can be disposed at a rearsurface of the front plate, the hinge bracket being coupled to the hingearm and supporting the front plate.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly can be disposed at thehinge bracket.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly can be disposed at the rearsurface of the front plate and can be in contact with the hinge bracket.

In some implementations, the vibration detected by the sensor assemblycan be generated by a user's knock applied to the door, and thecontroller can be configured to turn on the lamp based on the controllerreceiving the corresponding vibration signal and the lamp being in aturned-off state.

In some implementations, the vibration detected by the sensor assemblycan be generated by a user's knock applied to the door, and thecontroller can be configured to turn off the lamp based on thecontroller receiving the corresponding vibration signal and the lampbeing in a turned-on state.

In some implementations, the controller can be configured to turn offthe lamp based on a predetermined period of time elapsing after the lampis turned on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example state of theexterior of a home appliance.

FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating an example state in which a door isremoved from the home appliance.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example state in which aside cover is removed from the home appliance to illustrate theinstallation position of a sensor assembly in the home appliance.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example state of a doorassembly of the home appliance.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example state of first andsecond front plates of the home appliance.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example state in which a hinge arm isattached.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are views illustrating an example state of the detailedconfiguration of the sensor assembly.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating, in detail, an example state in which thesensor assembly is attached.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating, in detail, an example state in which thesensor assembly is separated.

FIG. 11 is the cross-sectional view illustrating an example state of theupper part of the sensor assembly in the state in which the sensorassembly is attached.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view illustrating an example state of thesensor assembly in the state in which the sensor assembly is attached.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating, in detail, an example state in which thesensor assembly is attached.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating, in detail, an example state in which thesensor assembly is attached.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating an example state of buttons displayed ona display part of the home appliance.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example state of theconfiguration of the home appliance.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example state of theconfiguration of the sensor assembly.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating an example state of thearrangement of a 3-axis sensor module.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating an example state of thearrangement of the 3-axis sensor module.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating the example state of the alignment of oneaxial direction of the 3-axis sensor module with the direction ofvibration by a knock.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are views illustrating an example of vibrationdetections signals detected by the 3-axis sensor module.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of thehome appliance.

FIG. 24 is a view illustrating an example of vibration detection signalsfor explaining vibration by a knock in the home appliance.

FIGS. 25 and 26 are views illustrating an example of vibration detectionsignals by a knock in the home appliance.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of thehome appliance.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of thehome appliance.

FIG. 29 is a graph illustrating an example of the experimental result ofvibration detection signals for explaining detection of a knock input inthe home appliance.

FIGS. 30 and 31 are graphs illustrating an example of the experimentalresults of vibration detection signals for explaining no detection of aknock input in the home appliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described above, in a conventional home appliance, a vibration sensorcan be used for knock detection, but since it is difficult todistinguish vibrations generated by factors other than a knock fromvibrations generated by the knock and difficult to filter the vibrationsgenerated by other factors, a sound wave sensor can be installed in theconventional home appliance.

Furthermore, in the case of an oven in which it is difficult to attachthe sound wave sensor to the door of the oven due to high heat, thesensor can be required to be installed in another position, but in thiscase, the attenuation of sound wave transmission could be increased, soit can be difficult for the sensor to perform the precise detection of asound wave and to filter noise signals.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance in which the installation position of a sensor is not limitedand the vibration signals of three axes are used such that vibrationgenerated by a knock can be precisely determined.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance which allows a user to check the inner space of the homeappliance through a viewing window without opening a door.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance in which when a knock input performed by a user is detected, alamp operates to illuminate the inner space of the home appliance.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance which can accurately detect a knock input even if the knockinput is small.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance which can accurately detect whether a knock input is performedby determining the directionality of vibration corresponding to theknock input.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance in which vibrations generated by knocks or impacts applied toother portions of the home appliance are excluded and only vibrationsgenerated by a knock applied to the door can be detected.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance which has a structure in which while a vibration generated bya knock applied to the door is transmitted to a vibration detectionsensor, the attenuation of the vibration can be minimized.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance in which each of the vibrations of three axial directions isdetected and vibration signals corresponding to the vibrations of thethree axial directions are compared with each other so as to clearlydistinguish vibrations generated by a knock from vibrations generated byother factors such that detection of a knock input is improved.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance in which any one axial direction of three axial directionscoincides with the direction of a vibration generated by a knock so asto accurately detect a vibration signal corresponding to the vibrationgenerated by the knock.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance which in a case in which any one axial direction of threeaxial directions does not coincide with the direction of a vibrationgenerated by a knock, has the function of correcting this automatically.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance which has the function of automatically correcting thedetection error of a sensor, which detects a vibration generated by aknock, such that the sensor is prevented from being influenced by thetemperature.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance in which a sensor assembly which detects a vibration generatedby a knock is installed on a door handle mounted to a door so as toincrease the accuracy of vibration detection.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance in which a sensor that detects a knock input is installed at aposition that is not affected by heat such that the detectionperformance of the sensor for a knock input can be prevented fromdeteriorating due to heat.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance in which the sensor assembly configured in a form of a moduleis applied so as to minimize a structure change by the installation ofthe sensor assembly and to precisely analyze a vibration generated by aknock.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance in which the turning on/off of a lamp can be controlledaccording to a user's knock.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance in which in a specific exceptional situation such as a statein which a lamp is already turned on or a knock-on function is turnedoff by touching a lamp button, the lamp is not turned on/off even if auser's knock is detected.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance in which when a door is opened or a self-clean function isbeing performed, a lamp is not turned on/off even if a user's knock isdetected.

In some implementations, the present disclosure will describe a homeappliance in which the vibration detection sensor and the door areconnected to each other by solid parts, and vibrations generated byknocks or impacts applied to external parts other than the door areexcluded, and only a vibration generated by a knock applied to the dooris detected.

The implementations of the present disclosure are not limited to theimplementations mentioned above, and other implementations that are notmentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art.

A home appliance according to the implementation of the presentdisclosure can include a cabinet defining the exterior of the homeappliance and having reception spaces in which objects can be received,and a door configured to open and close each of the front parts of thereception spaces, wherein a viewing window may be mounted to the doorsuch that a user can see the inside of each of the reception spaces fromthe outside through the viewing window.

In some implementations, according to the defined position of thereception space and lighting around the home appliance, it can bedifficult to see the inside of the reception space even through theviewing window. Accordingly, in some cases, a lamp may be installed inthe reception space to illuminate the inside of the reception space, ormay be installed outside of the reception space to emit light toward andilluminate the inside of the reception space such that the inside of thereception space can be clearly seen.

In some implementations, the operation of such a lamp may be performedby a user's simple manipulation.

For example, when a user knocks on the door, preferably, on the viewingwindow, a sensor assembly provided inside the home appliance may detecta vibration generated by a knock, and a controller may control theturning on/off of the lamp on the basis of a knock-on signal receivedfrom the sensor assembly.

In some cases, when a user simply knocks on the door or the viewingwindow, a vibration generated by the knock may be detected, and the lampmay illuminate the reception space. In some cases, the user may clearlysee the inside of the reception space by a simple motion.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly may be installed on thedoor or a position away from the door and may detect vibration generatedby a knock applied to a portion of the door and transmitted through asame medium or media different from each other. In some cases, the rangeof the installation position of the sensor assembly may increase.

In some implementations, a first front plate may be installed on thefront part of the reception space. In some cases, the door may beprovided with a viewing window and may open and close the receptionspace through an opening part defined in the front plate.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly may be installed on therear surface (an inner surface) of the front plate. This is intended tominimize the impact of heat and pressure transmitted to the door on thesensor assembly and thus to prevent the deterioration of the vibrationdetection performance of the sensor assembly.

In some implementations, the front plate may be supported by a hingebracket. In some cases, the hinge bracket may be fastened to the rearsurface of the front plate by a fastening member.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly may be installed on therear surface of the front plate and may be in contact with the hingebracket. In some cases, a vibration by a user's knock transmittedthorough the hinge bracket may be more accurately detected.

In some implementations, the hinge bracket may be coupled to a hinge arminstalled on the front surface of the front plate. The end part of sucha hinge arm may pass through the front and rear surfaces of the frontplate through a through hole defined in the front plate. For example,the hinge arm may include a first hinge extension part located on thefront surface of the front plate and that is larger than the sectionalarea of the through hole and a second hinge extension part located onthe rear surface of the front plate and that is larger than thesectional area of the through hole.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly may include a bent partwhich protrudes in a lateral direction from a side part of the sensorassembly and is bent in multiple steps, wherein a first bent part of thebent part may be fitted over the hinge bracket such that the sensorassembly can be in close contact with the hinge bracket. In some cases,the sensor assembly can better detect a vibration transmitted throughthe hinge bracket.

In some implementations, when the sensor assembly is installed on therear surface of the front plate, a base on which the printed circuitboard (PCB) substrate is mounted may be spaced apart by a predetermineddistance from the rear surface of the front plate. For example, thesensor assembly may include the base therein, wherein the PCB substrateis mounted on the base, and wherein a rear protruding part may bedefined on the rear surface of the base by protruding by a predeterminedlength therefrom. In some cases, with the rear protruding part being incontact with the rear surface of the front plate, the sensor assemblymay be fastened to the rear surface of the front plate by a fasteningmember, so the base on which the PCB substrate is mounted may be spacedapart by a predetermined length from the rear surface of the frontplate.

In some cases, with the sensor assembly being spaced apart by apredetermined distance from the rear surface of the front plate, thesensor assembly may be in contact with the hinge bracket such that avibration transmitted through the front plate is minimized and avibration transmitted through the hinge bracket is detected, therebyincreasing the accuracy of vibration detection.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly may be coupled to the hingebracket instead of the front plate by a fastening member. In some cases,the sensor assembly may minimize a vibration transmitted thereto throughthe front plate and may detect a vibration transmitted through the hingebracket, so the accuracy of vibration detection of the sensor assemblymay increase.

In some implementations, when the sensor assembly detects a vibration bya knock, the controller may operate the lamp. In some cases, theoperation of the lamp may be the turning on/off of the lamp.

In some implementations, when the sensor assembly detects a vibrationgenerated by a knock when the lamp is in a turned-off state, thecontroller may turn on the lamp, and may turn off the lamp when thesensor assembly detects a vibration generated by a knock when the lampis in a turned-on state. In some cases, a user may turn on/off the lampby just knocking.

In some implementations, the controller may automatically turn off thelamp when a predetermined period of time elapses after the lamp isturned on. In some cases, when the lamp is turned on, even if a userforgets to turn off the lamp, the lamp may be automatically turned offafter a predetermined period of time such that unnecessary powerconsumption can be prevented.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly may detect a vibrationdetection signal corresponding to a vibration, and may determine whetheror not a knock is input according to the vibration detection signal. Insome cases, when a vibration detection signal of a preset threshold ormore is continuously detected at a regular time interval, it may bedetermined that a knock is applied.

In some cases, a knock generates “knocking sounds” at regular timeintervals. In some cases, it may be determined that the vibrations aregenerated by a knock when the vibration detection signals correspond tothe knocking sounds at regular time intervals. In some cases,determining whether the vibration is generated by the knock may beeasily performed.

In some implementations, a vibration generated by a knock may begenerated only in a first axial direction among three axial directions.For example, a vibration generated by a knock may be generated only inany one axis of x, y, and z axes. Therefore, determining whether thevibration is generated by a knock may be performed by detecting thevibration detection signal of a first-axis of three axes.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly may compare patterns ofvibration detection signals with a preset pattern of a vibrationdetection signal corresponding to a vibration generated by a knock andmay determine whether the vibration is generated by a knock.

In some implementations, the pattern of the vibration detection signalgenerated by a knock may be preset, and whether the pattern correspondsto a basic pattern can be determined so as to determine whether a knockoccurs.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly may detect vibrationstransmitted in all directions. In some cases, the sensor assembly mayinclude a vibration sensor having a plurality of axes. For example,vibrations transmitted in a plurality of axial directions can bedetected by using such a vibration sensor.

In some implementations, vibrations transmitted in three axialdirections may be detected, and vibration detection signalscorresponding to the vibrations of the three axial directions may becombined with each other so as to detect a vibration corresponding to aknock.

In some cases, the number of vibration sensors is increased to detectvibrations transmitted in three or more directions such that thereliability of detection of a vibration generated by a knock can beincreased.

In some implementations, for example, the home appliance may include: a3-axis sensor module which detects vibrations transmitted in three axialdirections and generates vibration detection signals corresponding tothe vibrations transmitted in the three axial directions, and a sensormicrocomputer determining whether the vibration is generated by a knockbased on the vibration detection signals generated by the 3-axis sensormodule.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly installed at a positionother than the door may use a vibration sensor having a plurality ofaxes to determine whether a vibration is generated by a knock applied tothe door or by a knock or motion applied to another position. In somecases, the sensor assembly may use three axes. In some cases, the sensorassembly may use three axes or more for a more precise control, but maydistinguish vibrations of all directions with three axes. For example,even if a knock is input from any part of the home appliance, the sensorassembly may detect a vibration generated by the knock.

In some implementations, one axis of three axes may be preset as thedirection of vibration generated by a knock, and the direction of thevibration generated by the knock and directions of vibrations of the tworemaining axes may be compared with each other so as to determinewhether the knock signal is generated at the door. In some cases, thevibrations of the three axial directions may be detected and be combinedwith each other so as to detect the vibrations of all directions ofthree dimensions. In some cases, a 3-axis sensor module detects thevibrations of all directions of three dimensions.

In some implementations, a first, a second, and a third-axis sensor maybe used independently of each other or in combination with each other soas to detect a vibration by a knock. In some cases, each of the first,second, and third sensors may include multiple sensors provided atmultiple positions, and vibration detection signals detected by themultiple sensors may be compared with each other so as to detect thedirection and position of a knock.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly may include a filter partwhich removes noise included in the vibration detection signalsgenerated by the 3-axis sensor module, and an amplifying part whichamplifies vibration detection signals that are output by the filter partand outputs the amplified vibration detection signals to the sensormicrocomputer.

In some implementations, the 3-axis sensor module may include threeacceleration sensors, wherein the three acceleration sensors may includea first acceleration sensor which detects a vibration of a first axialdirection of the three axial directions, a second acceleration sensorwhich detects a vibration of a second axial direction thereof, and athird acceleration sensor which detects a vibration of a third axialdirection thereof.

In some cases, an acceleration sensor of the three acceleration sensorsmay be installed such that an axial direction of the one accelerationsensor for detecting a vibration coincides with the direction ofvibration generated by a knock. In some cases, the direction of thevibration generated by the knock may be in alignment with the directionof one axis of three axes so as to increase the accuracy of thedetection of the vibration generated by a knock.

In some implementations, the 3-axis sensor module may include one 3-axisacceleration sensor which simultaneously detects vibrations of threeaxial directions. In some cases, the 3-axis acceleration sensor may beinstalled such that one axial direction of the three axial directionsthereof coincides with the direction of a vibration generated by aknock.

In some implementations, a sensor microcomputer may compare the patternsof vibration detection signals generated by the 3-axis sensor modulewith the pattern of a vibration detection signal corresponding to avibration generated by a knock to determine whether the vibration isgenerated by the knock.

In some implementations, the 3-axis sensor module and the sensormicrocomputer may be mounted on one PCB, and the sensor assembly may beconfigured as an integrated module. In some cases, even when the filterpart and the amplifying part are added to the 3-axis sensor module andthe sensor microcomputer, the 3-axis sensor module, the sensormicrocomputer, the filter part, and the amplifying part may be mountedon the PCB, so the sensor assembly may be configured as an integratedmodule. In some cases, the sensor assembly may be configured in the formof a PCB module and thus may be easily installed on and attached to thehome appliance, and may easily be installed even on an existing homeappliance. Furthermore, the range of the installation position of thesensor assembly may increase.

In some implementations, the sensor microcomputer may extract vibrationdetection signals of a preset first direction among the vibrationdetection signals of three axial directions and may use the extractedvibration detection signals of the first direction so as to determinewhether a vibration is generated by a knock. In some cases, thevibration generated by the knock is generated in any first direction.

In some cases, the sensor microcomputer may determine that there is avibration generated by a knock when each of the vibration detectionsignals of the first direction is equal to a preset first threshold ormore and, after a predetermined period of time, is equal to a presetsecond threshold or more. In some cases, when a knock is applied with“knocking sounds”, vibrations corresponding to the “the knocking sounds”generate signals of predetermined sizes or more and vibrations generatedby other factors generate signals of smaller sizes. For example, whenthe vibration detection signals corresponding to the “the knockingsounds” are equal to or greater than the first and second thresholds, itmay be determined that the vibration is generated by the knock.

In some implementations, when the size of a vibration detection signalgenerated by a first knock is equal to or greater than the preset firstthreshold, and after a preset period of time, when the size of avibration detection signal generated by a second knock is equal to orgreater than the preset second threshold, the sensor microcomputer maydetermine that the vibration is generated by the knock.

In some implementations, the sensor microcomputer may extract avibration detection signal of any one axial direction (e.g., a firstaxial direction) which coincides with the direction of a vibrationgenerated by the knock among vibration detection signals of three axialdirections, and may compare the extracted vibration detection signal ofthe first axial direction with the vibration detection signals of twoother axial directions (e.g., second and third directions) so as todetermine whether the vibration is generated by the knock.

In some cases, when the maximum value of a vibration detection signal ofat least one axial direction of the second and third axial directions isgreater than the maximum value of the vibration detection signal of thefirst axial direction, the sensor microcomputer may determine that thereis no vibration generated by the knock.

In some implementations, the lamp of the home appliance may be installedoutside the reception space and may emit light toward the inside of thereception space or may be installed inside the reception space and mayilluminate the inside of the reception space. In some cases, the insideof the reception space has a very high temperature and thus is requiredto be embodied with a material having high durability against hightemperature heat.

In some implementations, by checking some exceptional situationscorresponding to specific conditions, the lamp may not be turned on evenif a user's knock is detected. For example, this can be intended topreset some exceptional situations in which the lamp is required to beprevented from being turned on despite a knock input for safety, energysaving, or a user's convenience.

In some cases, such exceptional situations may include an opened stateof the door, a state in which a self-clean operation is underway, astate in which a door is preset to be locked for a predetermined periodof time after the self-clean operation, a state in which the lamp isalready turned on by touching the lamp button, a turned-off state of aknock-on function, and a state in which the lamp is blinking after thehome appliance is warmed up. In such exceptional situations, the lampmay not be turned on/off despite a user's knock.

In some implementations, the home appliance may be provided with a lampon/off switch, so the turning on/off of the lamp may be controlled by auser's manipulative input.

In some implementations, instead of a conventional sensor which does notconsider the direction of a vibration or sound wave generated by aknock, the 3-axis sensor module which detects vibrations of alldirections of three dimensions may be used to distinguish a vibrationgenerated by a knock from vibrations generated by other factors suchthat the accuracy and reliability of detection of the vibrationgenerated by a knock can be secured.

In some implementations, the inside of the reception space may be seenthrough the viewing window without opening a door configured toopen/close the reception space in which objects are received.

In some implementations, when a user knocks on the home appliance, theuser's knock may be detected and the lamp installed in the receptionspace may illuminate the inside of the reception space such that theuser can see the inside of the reception space from the outside throughthe viewing window.

In some implementations, a vibration transmitted through solid mediaconstituting the home appliance may be detected, thereby accuratelydetecting even a slight knock.

In some implementations, the directionality of a vibration generated bya user's knock may be considered, and thus the direction of thevibration generated by the knock and the directions of vibrationsgenerated by other factors can be distinguished from each other, therebyaccurately detecting whether the vibration is generated by the knock.

In some implementations, vibrations generated by knocks or impactsapplied to portions other than the door of the home appliance may beexcluded, thereby detecting only a vibration generated by a knockapplied to the door.

In some implementations, the vibrations of a plurality of axialdirections may be detected independently of each other, and vibrationsignals corresponding to the vibrations of the plurality of axialdirections may be compared with each other to be analyzed so as toclearly distinguish a vibration generated by a knock from vibrationsgenerated by other factors, thereby providing a high detectionperformance for a knock input.

In some implementations, a sensor which detects the vibrations of aplurality of axial directions may match one axial direction of theplurality of axial directions with the direction of a vibrationgenerated by a knock, thereby accurately detecting a vibration signalcorresponding to the vibration generated by the knock.

In some implementations, when any one axial direction of a sensor whichdetects vibration among a plurality of axial directions does notcoincide with the direction of vibration generated by a knock, this maybe automatically corrected, thereby improving the accuracy of knockdetection.

In some implementations, vibrations generated in the axial directions ofthree dimensions may be detected and, among the vibrations of thesethree-dimensional axial directions, the direction of a vibrationgenerated by a knock may be distinguished from the directions ofvibrations generated by other factors, thereby improving the accuracy ofknock detection.

In some implementations, the detection error of a sensor which detects avibration generated by a knock may be automatically corrected so as notto be influenced by the temperature, thereby improving the accuracy ofknock detection.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly which detects a vibrationgenerated by a knock may be installed on a door handle mounted to adoor, thereby increasing the accuracy of vibration detection.

In some implementations, for example, a sensor which detects a knockinput may be installed at a location that is not affected by heat in anoven, thereby preventing the knock input detection performance of thesensor from deteriorating due to the heat.

In some implementations, for an example, the acceleration sensor ofthree axial directions may be used so as to distinguish a vibrationgenerated by a knock from vibrations generated by other factors, therebyimproving the detection performance for a knock input.

In some implementations, the position of a sensor for detecting a knockinput may not be limited to a door, and the sensor may be applied tovarious positions.

In some implementations, a sensor which detects a vibration generated bya knock may be embodied in the form of a module, thereby simplifying theinstallation of the sensor, minimizing a structure change by theinstallation thereof, and precisely analyzing the vibration generated bya knock.

In some implementations, the turning on/off of the lamp may becontrolled by a knock, thereby providing usability and increasingefficiency of power.

In some implementations, a user may operate the lamp of the receptionspace simply by knocking without pressing the on/off switch of the lampdisposed on the upper surface of the reception space.

In some implementations, a device such as a sensor which detects avibration may be installed at positions other than the door, therebymaking additional space for placing the device on the door unnecessary.

In some implementations, it may be preset that a knock input is ignoredin specific exceptional situations, thereby providing the safety andusability of the home appliance. For example, in states in which thelamp is already turned on by touching the lamp button, the knock-onfunction is turned off, and a self-clean operation is underway, the lampmay not be turned on/off despite a user's knock input.

In some implementations, a structure in which while a vibration by aknock applied to the door is transmitted to a vibration detectionsensor, the attenuation of the vibration can be minimized, therebyincreasing the accuracy of the detection of the vibration by the knockapplied to the door.

In some implementations, the vibration detection sensor and the door maybe coupled to each other by specific solid parts, thereby excludingvibrations by knocks or impacts applied to outer parts other than a doorand detecting only a vibration by a knock applied to the door.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly may be in contact with thehinge bracket by which the first front plate to which a first door iscoupled and a second front plate to which a second door is coupled arecoupled to each other, and thus a vibration by a knock applied to thefirst door may be transmitted through the hinge bracket to the sensorassembly, improving the performance of detecting the vibration.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aboveeffects and will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art.

Advantages and features of the present disclosure and how to achieve theadvantages and features will become apparent with reference toimplementations described below in detail in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited tothe implementations disclosed below and may be embodied in variousdifferent forms. The implementations are provided such that the presentdisclosure is complete, and the present disclosure is provided to fullyinform the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.The present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims. Likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout this specification.

In some implementations, the home appliance according to theimplementations of the present disclosure may be a home appliance, suchas cooking equipment, a refrigerator, a drying machine, and a washingmachine, in which a reception space is defined and a viewing window ismounted on the door configured to open/close the reception space suchthat the inside of the reception space can be seen from the outside.

In some cases, the door which opens and closes the reception space maybe opened to allow access to the inside of the reception space, and thedoor may be closed to close the reception space such that the inside ofthe reception space is not accessible. It is clearly stated that anyhome appliance in which the inside of a reception space can be seenthrough a viewing window mounted on a door may be applied to the presentdisclosure.

In addition, hereinafter, when a specific shape or structure is requiredin explaining the home appliance according to the present disclosure,cooking equipment will be described as an example for convenience of theexplanation. However, as described above, the home appliance accordingto the present disclosure is not limited to such cooking equipment.

The home appliance according to the implementation of the presentdisclosure will be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

In some implementations, the home appliance 1 may have an exteriordefined by a cabinet 10. The cabinet 10 may have a rectangularparallelepiped shape as a whole. In some cases, the home appliance mayhave various shapes different from the rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The cabinet 10 may be required to have predetermined rigidity to protectmultiple parts installed therein and thus may be made of variousmaterials corresponding thereto.

For example, in a case in which the home appliance is cooking equipment,a cooktop part 60 for cooking food may be provided on the upper part ofthe cabinet 10.

In some cases, at least one induction 61 may be provided inside thecooktop part 60, and cooking equipment may be placed on the uppersurface of the cooktop part corresponding to the position of theinduction 61 such that food can be cooked by the operation of theinduction 61.

The reception space of a predetermined size in which an object can bereceived may be defined inside the cabinet 10.

Such a reception space may include one or at least two reception spaces.

Hereinafter, for the convenience of description, two reception spaces 23and 32 will be described. In some implementations, the features of thepresent disclosure may be applied to a home appliance provided with onereception space.

In some implementations, a plurality of reception spaces 23 and 32 maybe defined inside the cabinet 10. Such reception spaces 23 and 32 may bespaces in which objects are stored or in which food is cooked orprocessed for the purpose of the home appliance 1.

In FIG. 2 , an implementation in which the first reception space 23 thesecond reception space 32 are defined vertically is illustrated. In somecases, the plurality of reception spaces may be disposed side to side.

For example, when the home appliance 1 is cooking equipment, the firstreception space 23 and the second reception space 32 can be cookingcompartments. Such cooking compartments may be used as spaces in whichcontainers of food ingredients are placed and food is cooked.

For another example, when the home appliance 1 is a refrigerator, thefirst reception space 23 may be a freezer compartment, and the secondreception space 32 may be a refrigerating compartment, or the firstreception space 23 may be a refrigerating compartment, and the secondreception space 32 may be a freezer compartment. These freezer andrefrigerating compartments may be spaces in which food is stored.

For another example, a home appliance such as a dishwasher, a washingmachine, and a clothing processing device may have a reception spacedefined therein, wherein tableware and clothes may be received in thereception space.

In some cases, the size of the reception space 23 may be determined by aside wall 24 and a rear wall 26.

In some implementations, the door 40 may be installed in each of thefirst reception space 23 and the second reception space 32 such that thedoor 40 is configured to open/close an open surface of each of the firstreception space 23 and the second reception space 32, that is,preferably a front surface thereof.

The door 40 may comprise a first door 20 which is configured toopen/close the first reception space 23, and a second door 30 which isconfigured to open/close the second reception space 32. The door 40 maybe configured as a swinging door or a drawer-type door.

In some implementations, the first door 20 can be a swinging door andthe second door 30 can be a drawer-type door. In some cases, the firstdoor 20 can be a drawer-type door and the second door 30 can be aswinging door, or both the first and second doors can be swinging doorsor drawer-type doors according to the home appliance.

In some implementations, the swinging first door 20 may be configured toopen and close the first reception space 23 by rotating respectively indownward and upward directions. For example, when the upper end part ofthe first door 20 is rotated downward relative to a lower end partthereof, the first reception space 23 can be opened, and when the upperend part of the first door 20 is rotated upward to an initial position,the first reception space 23 can be closed. In order to facilitate suchrotation, a handle part 25 may be installed on the upper end of thefirst door 20.

In some cases, the drawer-type second door 30 may slide in front andrear directions so as to open and close the second reception space 32.For example, when the second door 30 is pulled forward, the secondreception space 32 can be opened, and when the second door 30 is pushedrearward, the second reception space 32 can be closed.

In some implementations, in a case in which the home appliance 1 isprovided with the first reception space 23 alone, only the first door 20may be provided.

In some implementations, the home appliance 1 may be provided withdifferent components for performing a unique function thereof. Forexample, in the case of an oven, the oven may be provided with variousheating means for heating the reception spaces 23 and 32 usedrespectively as cooking compartments.

For another example, in the case of a refrigerator, the refrigerator canbe provided with a refrigerant cycle configured to generate cold air tosupply to the reception spaces 23 and 32 used respectively as a freezercompartment and a refrigerating compartment. In some cases, for anotherexample, a home appliance such as a dishwasher and a drying machine maybe provided with components for performing a unique function thereof.

In some implementations, the viewing window 21 may be mounted to atleast one of the plurality of doors 20 and 30. Hereinafter, an examplein which the viewing window 21 is mounted to the first door 20 will bedescribed.

For an example, such a viewing window 21 can be configured to beintegrated with the first door 20. For another example, the viewingwindow 21 can be mounted separately to the center portion of the firstdoor 20. In the case of the integral type, a portion of the first door20 may be configured as a see-through window.

In some implementations, the viewing window 21 may be made of atransparent material such that the inside of the reception space can beseen from the outside through the viewing window. For example, theviewing window 21 may be made of glass or transparent plastic. Theviewing window 21 is required to be formed to withstand high temperatureand high pressure and to have waterproof and heat resistance functionsaccording to a home appliance 1 to which the viewing window is applied.

In some implementations, a display part 50 may be installed on a side ofthe upper part of the cabinet 10. The display part 50 may visually andaurally display the state information of the home appliance 1 and thesetting and progress of operations thereof.

In some cases, such a display part 50 may include a flat panel displayand a speaker. For example, the display part 50 may be configured as atouch panel which is configured to receive a user's touch input.

In some cases, the display part 50 may display a user interface (UI) ora graphic user interface (GUI) related to the operation of the homeappliance 1.

For example, the display part 50 may include at least one of a liquidcrystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, anorganic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, and a 3D display.

In some implementations, when the display part 50 and a touch sensorconfigured to detect a touch motion are layered on each other toconstitute a touch screen, the display part 50 can be used as an inputdevice in addition to an output device. The touch sensor, for example,may have the shape of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, and thelike.

In some cases, such a touch sensor may be configured to convert changein pressure applied to a specific part of a display or capacitanceoccurring in a specific part of the display part 50 into an electricalinput signal.

The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position andarea of a touched portion, but also the pressure applied to the touchedportion during the touching. When the touch sensor detects a touchinput, the touch sensor may transmit a signal corresponding to the touchinput to a touch controller.

Like an example illustrated in FIG. 15 , a plurality of buttons may bedisplayed on such a display part 50. In some implementations, thesebuttons may include a knock-on button 51 for presetting the function ofautomatically turning on/off the lamp 160 installed inside the firstreception space 23 by a user's knock input, a lamp button 52 forpresetting the function of manually turning on/off the lamp 160, and aself-clean button 53 for presetting the self-clean function of the firstreception space 23.

In some cases, when a user touches the knock-on button 51 displayed onthe display part 50 once, a knock-on function may be turned on (preset),and when a user touches the knock-on button 51 once more, the knock-onfunction may be turned off (cancelled).

The knock-on function may be the function of turning on/off the lamp 160by a user's knock. In some cases, in a state in which the knock-onfunction is turned on, when a user's knock is input, the lamp 160 may beautomatically turned on/off. In some cases, in a state in which theknock-on function is turned off, the lamp 160 may not be turned on/offeven if a user's knock is input.

In some cases, when a user intends to use the knock-on function, theuser may turn on the knock-on function, but when a user does not intendto use the knock-on function, the user may turn off the knock-onfunction.

In some cases, the lamp button 52 is intended to manually turn on/offthe lamp 160, not by a user's knock. For example, when a user touchesthe lamp button 52 displayed on the display part 50 once, the lamp 160may be turned on, and when the user touches the lamp button 52 oncemore, the lamp 160 may be turned off.

In some implementations, when the lamp 160 is turned on by touching thelamp button 52, the lamp 160 may not be turned off even if a user'sknock is input. That is, when the lamp 160 is turned on by a usertouching the lamp button 52 manually, the knock-on function may notoperate.

In some implementations, when the lamp 160 is turned off and a knock isinput during a process in which a user manually turns on the lamp 160 tocheck the inside of the reception space, the intended work cannot beperformed. However, when the lamp 160 is turned off by touching the lampbutton 52, the knock-on function may operate and the lamp 160 may beturned on by a user's knock. In some cases, after that, when a knock isinput, the lamp 160 may be turned off.

In another implementation, the self-clean button 53 may be displayed onthe display part 50. A self-clean operation may include functions suchas automatically disinfecting and cleaning the reception space 23. Inthe process of such a self-clean operation, the knock-on function may bepreset so as not to be operated. In this case, the lamp 160 may not beturned on/off even if a knock is input by a user.

For an example, three buttons can be displayed, but the home applianceof the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Buttons for otheradditional functions may be displayed, and when an associated button istouched, a function corresponding thereto may be performed. In somecases, the knock-on function may or may not be operated in response tothe corresponding function.

In some implementations, a lever manipulation part 62 may be mounted tothe cabinet 10. The lever manipulation part 62 may be mounted to each ofthe opposite sides of the display part 50.

In some cases, a lever manipulation part 62 can be intended to presetvarious functions for the operation of the home appliance 1. Forexample, the lever manipulation part 62 may preset an operationtemperature, an operation time, and a specific function.

A controller 150 that controls the overall operation of the homeappliance 1 may be installed therein. In some implementations, such acontroller 150 may be installed inside a panel to which the display part50 is mounted.

In some cases, the position of the controller 150 is not limitedthereto. The controller 150 may include a microprocessor mounted to amain printed circuit board (PCB), and may preferably be mounted to themain PCB in the form of an IC chip.

In some cases, the controller 150 may receive a value preset by thelever manipulation part 62 and may control functions corresponding tothe preset value. For example, the controller 150 may control a heatingmeans installed in the reception space according to a preset temperatureof the reception space such that the internal temperatures of the firstreception space 23 and the second reception space 32 are maintained atthe preset temperatures. In some cases, the controller 150 can allow thepreset temperatures and current internal temperatures of the receptionspaces 23 and 32 to be displayed on the display part 50.

In some implementations, like an example of a door assembly 2illustrated in FIG. 4 , a first front plate 22 having an opening part 22a formed therein may be installed on the front part of the firstreception space 23. Such a first front plate 22 is intended such thatthe first door 20 is coupled to and supported by the first front plate22, and may constitute the front part of the first reception space 23and may be fixed to and installed on the cabinet 10.

The first door 20 can be installed on the first front plate 22 and mayopen and close the first reception space 23 through the opening part 22a of the first front plate 22.

For example, when the first door 20 is rotated downward, the firstreception space 23 may be opened through the opening part 22 a formed inthe first front plate 22. In some cases, when the first door 20 iscompletely rotated to an initial position, the first reception space 23may be closed.

In some implementations, a second front plate 31 having an opening part31 a formed therein may be installed on the second reception space 32.The second front plate 31 is intended such that the second door 30 iscoupled to and supported by the second front plate 31, and mayconstitute the front part of the second reception space 32 and may befixed to and installed on the cabinet 10.

The second door 30 may be installed on the second front plate 31, andmay open and close the second reception space 32 through the openingpart 31 a of the second front plate 31.

For example, when the second door 30 is pulled toward a front sidethereof, the second reception space 32 may be opened through the openingpart 31 a formed in the second front plate 31, and when the second door30 is completely pushed toward a rear side thereof, the second receptionspace 32 may be closed.

In some implementations, a casing 33 may be coupled to the second door30, and the casing 33 may be withdrawn from/introduced into the secondreception space 32 according to the opening/closing the second door 30.

In some implementations, a hinge bracket 80 may be installed on the rearsurface of the first front plate 22 to support the first front plate 22.In some cases, the hinge bracket 80 may be installed on the rear surfaceof the second front plate 31 to support the second front plate 31.

Here, the rear surfaces respectively refer to inner surfaces of thefirst and second front plates 22 and 31.

In some implementations, the hinge bracket 80 may be installedsimultaneously on the rear surfaces of the first front plate 22 and thesecond front plate 31 and may simultaneously support the first frontplate 22 and the second front plate 31.

In some cases, for the rotation of the first door 20, a hinge arm 90 maybe installed on the lower end part of the first door 20. In some cases,a first end of the hinge arm 90 may be coupled to the lower end part ofthe first door 20, and a second end of the hinge arm 90 may be coupledto the front part of the first front plate 22. Alternatively, the secondend of the hinge arm 90 may be coupled to the hinge bracket 80 coupledto the rear surface of the first front plate 22. In some cases, thefirst door 20 may be rotated by the hinge arm 90.

In some cases, as illustrated in FIG. 6 , the hinge bracket 80 may becoupled to the hinge arm 90 installed on the front surface of the firstfront plate 22. The end part of the hinge arm 90 may pass through thefront and rear surfaces of the first front plate 22 through a throughhole 221 formed in the first front plate 22.

The hinge arm 90 may include a first hinge extension part 92 disposed atthe front surface of the first front plate 22 and is larger than thesectional area of the through hole 221, and a second hinge extensionpart 93 disposed at the rear surface of the first front plate 22 and islarger than the sectional area of the through hole 221.

In some cases, the hinge arm 90 may be coupled to the first front plate22 such that the hinge arm 90 is not removed from the first front plate22 in states in which the first door 20 is closed, rotating, and opened.

In some implementations, a through hole 801 may be defined in the hingebracket 80 coupled to the rear surface of the first front plate 22. Sucha through hole 801 may be defined in a position corresponding to thethrough hole 221 of the first front plate 22.

In some cases, the first hinge extension part 92 that is larger than thesectional area of the through hole 801 may be located at the frontsurface of the first front plate 22, and the second hinge extension part93 that is larger than the sectional area of the through hole 801 may belocated at the rear surface of the first front plate 22.

In some cases, the hinge arm 90 may be coupled to the first front plate22 such that the hinge arm 90 is not removed from the first front plate22 in states in which the first door 20 is closed, rotating, and opened.

In some cases, the hinge arm 90 may be coupled to the first front plate22 or may be coupled simultaneously to the hinge bracket 80 and thefirst front plate 22 such that the hinge arm 90 is not deformed by theweight of the first door 20 transmitted to the hinge arm 90.

In some implementations, the hinge arm 90 may be coupled to the firstdoor 20. The first door 20 may be rotated to be opened and closedthrough a rotation shaft 91 coupled to the hinge arm 90. In some cases,the first door 20 may be rotated while being coupled to the first frontplate 22 and the hinge bracket 80 by the hinge arm 90.

In some implementations, the hinge bracket 80 may be disposed betweenthe front surface of the first front plate 22 and the first hingeextension part 92. In some cases, the second side of the hinge arm 90may be coupled simultaneously to the first front plate 22 and the hingebracket 80, and the first side of the hinge arm 90 may be coupled to thefirst door 20.

In some implementations, a sensor assembly 110 can be installed on thelower end part of the cabinet 10. However, the installation position ofthe sensor assembly 110 is not limited thereto. For example, the sensorassembly 110 may be installed at a position adjacent to a door 20 or 30.In some cases, the sensor assembly 110 may be installed on the rearportion of the cabinet 10, the front/rear portion of the upper endthereof, or even on the handle part 25.

In some implementations, specific temperature and pressure may affectthe vibration detection performance of the sensor assembly 110, and thusin consideration of this, the sensor assembly 110 is preferablyinstalled at a position at which there is no impact of temperature andpressure on the vibration detection performance of the sensor assemblyor the impact of temperature and pressure is minimized.

For example, in a case in which the home appliance 1 is an oven, due tohigh heat of the inside of the first reception space 23 used as acooking compartment, considerable heat may be transmitted to the firstdoor 20. In some cases, the sensor assembly 110 may not be installeddirectly on the first door 20 but can be preferably installed at aposition at which impact of heat and pressure is minimal and a vibrationby a knock applied to the first door 20 is efficiently transmitted.

In some implementations, in order to minimize a structural change fromthe installation of the sensor assembly 110 required in the existinghome appliance 1, and to install the sensor assembly 110, the sensorassembly 110 is preferably installed on the rear surface of the firstfront plate 22 or of the second front plate 31. In some cases, thesensor assembly 110 may be installed on the rear surface of the firstfront plate 22 or the rear surface of the second front plate 31 to be incontact with the hinge bracket 80.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly 110 may be installed on thehinge arm 90 or may be installed on the rear surface of the first frontplate 22 to be in contact with the hinge arm 90. Accordingly, in orderto receive a vibration transmitted from the first door 20, the sensorassembly 110 may be in direct contact with the hinge arm 90 which is amedium connecting the first door 20 with the first front plate 22 suchthat the sensor assembly 110 can be spaced apart from components otherthan the hinge arm 90 as much as possible. In some cases, this mayenable the vibration transmitted from the first door 20 to be moreaccurately detected.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly 110 may be installed on thehinge bracket 80. Accordingly, due to the installation of the sensorassembly 110 on the hinge bracket 80, a vibration transmitted throughthe hinge arm 90 and the hinge bracket 80 from the first door 20 can bemore accurately detected.

In some cases, the side cover of the cabinet 10 may be temporarilyremoved and, after the installation of the sensor assembly 110, may bemounted thereon again, thereby enabling the sensor assembly 110 to beinstalled without a structural change and simplifying the change of theinstallation position of the sensor assembly 110.

In FIGS. 9 to 12 , an example in which the sensor assembly 110 isinstalled on the rear surface of the second front plate 31 isillustrated. The sensor assembly 110 may be coupled to the rear surfaceof the second front plate 31 by a fastening member 1123 such as a screw.

In some cases, the sensor assembly 110 may be coupled to the secondfront plate 31 such that the sensor assembly 110 is in contact with thehinge bracket 80 fixed to the second front plate 31. This is intendedsuch that the sensor assembly 110 can more precisely detect vibrationtransmitted through the hinge bracket 80 in contact therewith.

In some implementations as illustrated in FIG. 13 , the sensor assembly110 may be coupled to the rear surface of the first front plate 22 bythe fastening member 1123 such as a screw. In some cases, the rearsurface of the first front plate 22 refers to the inner surface of thefirst front plate 22. In some cases, the sensor assembly 110 may becoupled to the first front plate 22 such that the sensor assembly 110 isin contact with the hinge bracket 80 fixed to the first front plate 22,thereby more precisely detecting vibration transmitted through the hingebracket 80 in contact with the sensor assembly 110.

In some implementations as illustrated FIG. 14 , the sensor assembly 110may not be coupled to the first front plate 22 and the second frontplate 31, but may be coupled directly to the hinge bracket 80. In somecases, the sensor assembly 110 may precisely detect vibrationtransmitted through the hinge bracket 80.

A sensor assembly 110 may be installed at a position at which the impactof heat of a high temperature applied to the first reception space 23 isminimized and a vibration transmitted through the hinge bracket 80 fromthe first door 20 is precisely detected.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly 110 may be manufactured inthe form of an integrated module. When the sensor assembly 110 ismanufactured in the form of an integrated module, the sensor assembly110 can be easily installed on the home appliance 1, and the range ofthe installation position of the sensor assembly 110 may increase.

In some implementations, the home appliance 1 may be provided with onereception space 23 alone. Accordingly, the above-describedimplementations may be equally applied even to the home appliance 1provided only with the first door 20 and without the second door 30. Forexample, the home appliance 1 may be provided only with the first frontplate 22 without the second front plate 31. In some cases, theabove-described implementations may be equally applied to the hingebracket 80 and the hinge arm 90.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , a housing 1110 comprising the sensorassembly 110 can be provided with a base 1120 having a rectangular shapeas a whole. In some cases, an edge plate 1111 having a periphery of apredetermined height may be defined at the upper portion of the base1120.

The housing 1110 may have a space 1112 defined therein by the edge plate1111. Such a space 1112 may be open on one surface thereof.

A PCB substrate 1130 may be disposed in the space 1112 defined by theedge plate 1111. Multiple electronic elements may be mounted on the PCBsubstrate 1130. For example, various electronic elements and IC chipsincluding a 3-axis sensor module 111, a filter part 112, an amplifyingpart 113, and a sensor microcomputer 114 may be mounted on the PCBsubstrate 1130.

In some cases, at least one connector 1131 or 1132 may be mounted to thePCB substrate 1130 such that the PCB substrate is electrically connectedto an external device. In order to protect the PCB substrate 1130 froman external environment, with the PCB substrate 1130 being mounted inthe space 1112, the height of the PCB substrate 1130 can be preferablysmaller than the height of the edge plate 1111.

A bent part 1124 can be formed by protruding in a lateral direction ofthe base 1120 and being bent in multiple steps. In some implementations,the bent part 1124 may protrude in the lateral direction from the base1120, wherein the bent part is first bent rearward, and then second bentin the lateral direction.

In some implementations, the bent part 1124 can be formed by protrudingin a lateral direction from the edge plate 1111 and being bent inmultiple steps.

In some cases, when the sensor assembly 110 is installed on the rearsurface of the second front plate 31, the bent part 1124 may beconfigured to be in contact with the hinge bracket 80. For example, aportion of the hinge bracket 80 may be inserted into a first bent partsuch that the sensor assembly 110 can be in contact with the hingebracket 80.

An extension part 1115 may be defined at the base 1120 by extendingupward therefrom. Accordingly, a hole 1115 a may be defined at theextension part 1115. In some cases, a fastening member may be insertedinto the hole 1115 a such that the sensor assembly 110 is fastened to aspecific part 70 of the home appliance 1.

In some implementations, a front protruding part 1119 may be defined atthe upper surface of such an extension part 1115 such that the frontprotruding part 1119 is connected to the edge plate 1111. A hole 1119 amay be defined at the front protruding part 1119. A fastening member maybe inserted into such a hole 1119 a.

A rear protruding part 1122 may be defined at the rear surface of theextension part 1115 by protruding by a predetermined length therefrom,the rear protruding part 1122 being located at a position correspondingto the front protruding part 1119. A hole 1122 a may be defined at therear protruding part 1122, the hole 1122 a in fluid communication withthe hole 1119 a formed in the front protruding part 1119.

In some implementations, the rear protruding part 1122 may be in contactwith the second front plate 31, and the fastening member 1123 may beinserted into the two holes 1119 a and 1122 a communicating with eachother such that the sensor assembly 110 can be coupled to the secondfront plate 31.

For example, in a state in which the rear protruding part 1122 is incontact with the second front plate 31, a male fastening part 1123 maypass through a hole 31 a defined at the second front plate 31 and thetwo holes 1119 a and 1122 a and may be coupled to a female fasteningpart, so the sensor assembly 110 may be fastened tightly to the secondfront plate 31.

In some implementations, a female fastening part may be disposed insidethe front protruding part 1119 or the rear protruding part 1122. In thiscase, the female fastening part may be coupled to the male fasteningpart 1123, so the sensor assembly 110 may be fastened to the secondfront plate 31.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the rear protruding part 1122 of thesensor assembly 110 may be fastened to the rear surface of the secondfront plate 31 by being in contact therewith, so the base 1120 may bespaced apart by a predetermined distance d from the rear surface of thesecond front plate 31.

In some cases, the rear surface 1120 b of the base 1120 may be spacedapart by the predetermined distance d from the rear surface of thesecond front plate 31 by the rear protruding part 1122. In someimplementations, the predetermined distance is preferably 6 mm or more.

In some implementations, in a state in which the sensor assembly 110 isinstalled on the rear surface of the first front plate 22 or the rearsurface of the second front plate 31, a portion of the bent part 1124which protrudes in a lateral direction from the base 1120 or the edgeplate 1111 and is bent in multiple steps may be in contact with thehinge bracket 80.

In some cases, a shape in which the bent part 1124 is in contact withthe hinge bracket 80 can vary. In some implementations, for an example,the hinge bracket 80 may be formed in a U shape, and a portion of the Ushape may be inserted into the first bent part of the bent part 1124, sothe hinge bracket 80 and the bent part 1124 may be in contact with eachother.

In some cases, the inner gap of the first bent part may be substantiallyequal to or slightly smaller than the thickness of a portion of the Ushape of the hinge bracket 80. When the inner gap is larger than thethickness, the bent part 1124 may not be in contact with the hingebracket 80.

Accordingly, the inner gap and the thickness are required to bedetermined such that the bent part 1124 can be coupled to the hingebracket 80 by being in contact therewith.

In some implementations, it can be more advantageous in vibrationdetection when the rear surface 1120 b of the base 1120 is spaced apartby a predetermined distance d from the rear surface of the second frontplate 31 than when the rear surface 1120 b of the base 1120 is incontact with the rear surface of the second front plate 31.

In some cases, when the entirety of the base 1120 of the sensor assembly110 is in contact with the rear surface of the second front plate 31,there may be many vibrations transmitted to the entirety of the base1120, so vibration noise may increase.

In some implementations, when the rear protruding part 1122 is incontact with the second front plate 31, the intensity of a vibrationtransmitted to the hinge bracket 80 may relatively increase, so avibration by a user's knock applied to the second door 30 may be moreaccurately detected.

In some cases, as illustrated in FIG. 13 , the sensor assembly 110 maybe installed on the rear surface of the first front plate 22. Even inthis case, the sensor assembly 110 installed on the rear surface of thefirst front plate 22 is different only in an installation position fromthe sensor assembly 110 described above but may be installed in the sameshape as a shape in which the sensor assembly 110 is installed on therear surface of the second front plate 31.

For example, the rear protruding part 1122 of the sensor assembly 110may be in contact with the rear surface of the first front plate 22, andthe first front plate 22 and the rear protruding part 1122 may befastened to each other by the fastening member 1123. At the same time,the bent part 1124 may be in contact with the hinge bracket 80.

In some cases, as illustrated in FIG. 14 , the sensor assembly 110 maynot be installed on the first and second front plates 22 and 31, but maybe installed on the hinge bracket 80.

In some cases, the rear protruding part 1122 may be in contact with theinner surface of the hinge bracket 80 having a U shape, and the hingebracket 80 and the rear protruding part 1122 may be fastened to eachother by a fastening member 1123. Accordingly, the sensor assembly 110may detect vibration transmitted through the hinge bracket 80 so as toimprove a detection effect.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly 110 may detect a knockinput applied to the home appliance 1. Specifically, the sensor assembly110 may detect a vibration generated by a knock when the vibrationgenerated by the knock is transmitted through media.

Such a sensor assembly 110 may detect vibrations generated by otherfactors as well as a vibration generated by a knock. However, the sensorassembly 110 may be provided to distinguish vibration generated by aknock input by a user from vibrations generated by other factors so asto detect the vibration generated by the knock.

In some cases, the sensor assembly 110 may accurately distinguish avibration generated by a user's knock from vibrations generated by otherfactors. For example, the sensor assembly 110 can detect a specificpattern of the vibration generated by the user's knock to detect thevibration generated by the knock.

The sensor assembly 110, for example, may include a 3-axis sensor module111 and a sensor microcomputer 114. The 3-axis sensor module 111 andsensor microcomputer 114 may be mounted on the PCB substrate.

In some implementations, the sensor assembly 110 may further include thefilter part 112 and the amplifying part 113.

In some cases, the 3-axis sensor module 111, sensor microcomputer 114,filter part 112, and amplifying part 113 may be mounted on the PCBsubstrate 1130.

In some cases, the 3-axis sensor module 111 may include one 3-axisacceleration sensor which simultaneously detects vibrations transmittedin three axial directions orthogonal to each other.

The 3-axis acceleration sensor may detect components of three axes (x,y, and z axes for convenience of description) of acceleration with onesensor. In some implementations, the 3-axis acceleration sensor maydetect each of minute changes (acceleration) in movements of the mediadue to vibrations transmitted in three axial directions orthogonal toeach other.

In some cases, the 3-axis sensor module 111 may include threeindependent acceleration sensors. Specifically, these three accelerationsensors may include a first acceleration sensor 111 a which detects thevibration of a first axial direction among three axial directionsorthogonal to each other, a second acceleration sensor 111 b whichdetects the vibration of a second axial direction among the three axialdirections, and a third acceleration sensor 111 c which detects thevibration of a third axial direction among the three axial directions.

In the home appliance 1, a plurality of different solid parts may bephysically coupled to each other, so a vibration generated by a knockmay be transmitted to other portions of the home appliance 1 throughthese solid parts as media. In some cases, in the home appliance 1,vibration may be transmitted through media different from each other.

Specifically, for an example, the sensor assembly 110 may be installedon the first door 20, but for another example, may be installed at aposition away from the first door 20. Even when the sensor assembly 110is installed at a position away from the first door 20, a vibrationgenerated in the first door 20 may be transmitted through a plurality ofsolid media connected to each other to the sensor assembly 110.

In some cases, the sensor assembly 110 may generate specific signals(hereinafter, referred to as vibration detection signals) correspondingto vibrations transmitted through media different from each other.

An example state of the 3-axis acceleration sensor and the threeacceleration sensors are illustrated respectively in FIGS. 7 and 8 .However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In someimplementations, the number of acceleration sensors may be adjusted. Asthe number of acceleration sensors increases, the accuracy of vibrationdetection can be improved.

However, in some cases, the combination of the 3-axis accelerationsensor and the three acceleration sensors which can detect vibrations ofthe three axial directions may be used to detect vibrations of allthree-dimensional directions.

In some implementations, the first acceleration sensor which detects thevibration of the first axial direction, and the second accelerationsensor which detects the vibration of the second axial direction may beapplied. In some cases, the direction of a vibration generated by aknock applied to the door can be matched with one direction of axialdirections of the acceleration sensors.

The sensor assembly 110 may include at least one of the filter part 112and the amplifying part 113 as required.

In some implementations, vibration detection signals can includeunnecessary noise in addition to a vibration detection signal due to aknock input, but the filter part 112 of the sensor assembly 110 canremove the noise.

Signals output after the noise is removed from the filter part 112 canbe amplified through the amplifying part 113. The amplified signals maybe input to the sensor microcomputer 114.

The sensor microcomputer 114 may be configured separately from thecontroller 150 and may determine whether there is a vibration generatedby a knock input by a user on the basis of the signals output from theamplifying part 113. In some cases, when it is determined that theassociated vibration is a vibration generated by the knock input by theuser, the sensor microcomputer 114 may notify this to the controller150.

The 3-axis sensor module 111 and the sensor microcomputer 114 may bemounted on one PCB substrate and may be configured as the sensorassembly 110 having the form of an integrated module in cooperation withthe PCB substrate 1130.

In some implementations, when the sensor assembly 110 further includesthe filter part 112 and the amplifying part 113, the 3-axis sensormodule 111, the filter part 112, the amplifying part 113, and the sensormicrocomputer 114 may be mounted on one PCB substrate 1130 and may beconfigured as the sensor assembly 110 having the form of an integratedmodule in cooperation with the PCB substrate.

In some cases, the sensor assembly 110 may be provided as an integratedmodule and may be installed on, attached to, and detached from any partof the home appliance 1. The position of the installation and attachmentof the sensor assembly 110 may be variously determined.

In some cases, the sensor assembly 110 may be disposed at the first door20 and at a position away from the first door 20. For example, thesensor assembly 110 may be installed on a handle part 25 installed on aside of the first door 20, and may be installed on the rear or bottompart of the cabinet 10. For example, the sensor assembly 110 may beinstalled on the rear part of the lower part of the home appliance 1.

In a case in which the sensor assembly 110 is installed on the handlepart 25 of the door 20, when a knock is applied to the door 20, avibration generated by the knock may be detected more accurately. Inthis case, in order to minimize the impact of heat on the sensorassembly 110, it is preferable to dispose an insulating material on thesurrounding area of the sensor assembly 110.

In some implementations, parts on which the first door 20 and the sensorassembly 110 are installed may be different media. Accordingly, avibration generated by a knock applied to the first door 20 may betransmitted to the sensor assembly 110 through a plurality of mediaconnected to each other.

In some implementations, when the sensor assembly 110 is installed onthe rear surface of the second front plate 31 by being in contact withthe hinge bracket 80, a vibration generated in the first door 20 may betransmitted through the first door 20, the first front plate 22, and thehinge bracket 80 to the sensor assembly 110.

When the controller 150 receives a signal (hereinafter, referred to as aknock-on signal) corresponding to a vibration generated by a knock fromthe sensor assembly 110, specifically, from the sensor microcomputer114, the controller 150 may turn on/off the lamp 160.

Turning on the lamp 160 can mean that power is supplied to the lamp 160such that the lamp 160 can brightly illuminate the inside of the firstreception space 23, and turning off the lamp 160 can mean that power isnot supplied to the lamp 160 such that the lamp 160 does not operate.

The lamp 160 may be a lighting device which can brightly illuminate theinside of the first reception space 23.

For example, the lamp 160 may include an LED module. The lamp 160 may beturned on/off by the control signal of the controller 150.

In some implementations, the lamp 160 may be installed outside the firstreception space 23 to emit light toward the inside of the firstreception space 23 or may be installed inside the first reception space23.

In some cases, such a lamp 160 may use various light emitting devicesand may be configured in various forms without limitation to be used aslong as the lamp 160 is a conventionally known light emitting device.

In some implementations, when a user knocks on a portion of the homeappliance 1, the knocked part may become a vibration source, and thevibration by the knock may be generated in the associated part.

Accordingly, the generated vibration may be transmitted to the entireportion of the home appliance 1 through a plurality of media composed ofsolid parts constituting the home appliance 1. In some cases, suchvibration may be transmitted even to the sensor assembly 110 installedon the second front plate 31 of the home appliance 1.

The sensor assembly 110 may generate a vibration detection signalcorresponding to the transmitted vibration, and may determine whetherthe transmitted vibration is generated by a user's knock input or byanother factor on the basis of the generated vibration detection signal.

When the sensor assembly 110 determines that the transmitted vibrationis generated by a user's knock input, the sensor assembly 110 maytransmit a knock-on signal to the controller 150. When the controller150 receives the knock-on signal, the controller 150 may turn on thelamp 160.

When the sensor assembly 110 determines that the transmitted vibrationis not generated by a user's knock input, the sensor assembly 110 maynot transmit a knock-on signal to the controller 150. In this case, thecontroller 150 may receive no knock-on signal and not turn on the lamp160.

In some cases, when a user's knock is detected in the turned-off stateof the lamp 160, the lamp 160 may be turned on.

In some cases, when a user's knock input is detected by the sensorassembly 110 in the same manner in the turned-on state of the lamp 160,the controller 150 may turn off the lamp 160.

In some implementations, when a vibration generated by a user's knock isdetected, the lamp 160 may be turned on to illuminate the inside of thefirst reception space 23 such that the user can see the inside of thefirst reception space 23 from the outside through the viewing window 21mounted to the door 20.

Furthermore, in the turned-on state of the lamp 160, when a user knocks,a vibration generated by the knock may be detected and the lamp 160 maybe automatically turned off.

In some cases, a user may turn on/off the lamp 160 only with a knock andmay check the inside of the first reception space 23 of the homeappliance 1 without opening the door 20.

Hereinafter, the 3-axis sensor module 111 will be described in moredetail.

In some implementations, the 3-axis sensor module 111 may be provided inthe form of a plate having a predetermined thickness, but the 3-axissensor module 111 of the present disclosure is not limited thereto andmay be embodied in various shapes, such as a hexahedron.

In some implementations, the 3-axis sensor module 111 may be provided asone 3-axis acceleration sensor 111′ which can simultaneously detectvibrations of three axial directions. That is, one 3-axis accelerationsensor 111′ may simultaneously detect vibrations transmitted in threeaxial directions.

In some implementations, the 3-axis sensor module 111 may include threeacceleration sensors which are independent of each other, wherein thethree acceleration sensors may include the first acceleration sensor 111a which detects the vibration of the first axial direction of the threeaxial directions, the second acceleration sensor 111 b which detects thevibration of the second axial direction thereof, and the thirdacceleration sensor 111 c which detects the vibration of the third axialdirection thereof. In the drawing, for example, the first, second, andthird axes are expressed as x, y, and z axes, respectively.

In some cases, these acceleration sensors 111′, 111 a, 111 b, and 111 ccan include a capacitive acceleration sensor, a piezoelectricacceleration sensor, and a piezoresistive acceleration sensor.

The 3-axis sensor module 111 may detect the vibrations of three-axialdirections, that is, the vibrations of x, y, and z axial directionsorthogonal to each other. In some cases, the detection of the vibrationsof the x, y, and z axial directions may be performed independently ofeach other and simultaneously.

In some implementations, these acceleration sensors 111′, 111 a, 111 b,and 111 c may be mounted on the PCB substrate 1130, and othercomponents, that is, the filter part 112, the amplifying part 113, andthe sensor microcomputer 114 may also be mounted on the PCB substrate1130. In some cases, the PCB substrate 1130 on which the components aremounted may be mounted to the sensor assembly 110 and may be provided inthe form of an integrated module.

The type of vibration which may be applied to the home appliance 1 maybe various. For example, there may be vibrations generated from a motor,a heating means, a refrigeration cycle, and a drawer-type door, whichcan be opened and closed.

Furthermore, a vibration may be generated by people inadvertentlybumping or randomly tapping the home appliance 1. When a person passesby the home appliance 1, vibration may be generated by the person'sfootstep.

In some implementations, in consideration of the number of differentcases for generating a vibration, a vibration due to a knock input by auser is required to be distinguished from vibrations generated by otherfactors such that the user can check the inside of the reception spacethrough the viewing window 21.

In some cases, it is required to increase a discrimination power betweena vibration caused by a knock and vibrations caused by other factors.That is, it is required to increase a discrimination power between avibration detection signal corresponding to a vibration generated by aknock and vibration detection signals corresponding to vibrationsgenerated by other factors.

In some implementations, when the 3-axis sensor module 111 includes thefirst, second, and third acceleration sensors 111 a, 111 b, and 111 cwhich are independent of each other, it is important that oneacceleration sensor of these three acceleration sensors is installedsuch that an axial direction thereof for detecting a vibration coincideswith the direction of a vibration generated by a knock.

In some implementations, when the 3-axis sensor module 111 is configuredas one 3-axis acceleration sensor 111′, it is important that the 3-axisacceleration sensor 111′ is installed such that one axial direction ofthree axial directions of the 3-axis acceleration sensor 111′ coincideswith the direction of a vibration generated by a knock.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example in which an x-axis direction among x, y,and z-axis directions coincides with the direction of a vibrationgenerated by a knock. Accordingly, the direction of one axis of threeaxes may be in alignment with the direction of a vibration generated bya knock such that the vibration generated by the knock can be moreclearly and accurately distinguished from the vibrations of y and z-axisdirections.

In some implementations, the alignment of an axial direction fordetecting a vibration with the direction of the vibration is important.The direction of a vibration generated by a knock may be determinedaccording to the direction of the position of the cabinet 10 to whichthe knock is applied.

For example, when a knock is applied to the front part (for example, thedoor) of the cabinet 10, the direction of a vibration generated by theknock is generated only in one axial direction. This means thatvibrations transmitted in axial directions other than the one axialdirection is not the vibration generated on the front part.

When it is assumed that the direction of a vibration generated by aknock applied to the front part is an x-axis direction, the direction ofa vibration generated by a knock applied to the side part of the cabinetother than the front part may be a y-axis direction, and the directionof a vibration generated by a knock applied to the upper part of thecabinet may be a z-axis direction.

In some cases, the vibrations detected in the y-axis direction or z-axisdirection may not be the vibration generated by the knock applied to thefront part, and accordingly, the signal of the x-axis direction ispreferentially considered and determined. Accordingly, among vibrationdetection signals of three axial directions, the vibration detectionsignal of any one axial direction (e.g., an x axis direction) whichcoincides with the direction of the vibration generated by a knock maybe extracted and the extracted vibration detection signal may be used todetermine whether the vibration is generated by the knock.

In some implementations, the 3-axis sensor module 111 can be differentfrom a conventional sensor that detects a sound wave. Since theconventional sound wave detection sensor does not consider thedirectionality of a sound wave, it is impossible to know a portion towhich a knock is applied. Furthermore, the conventional sound wavedetection sensor may not distinguish a vibration generated in a portionto which a knock is applied from vibrations generated in other portions,which may cause malfunction.

In some implementations, in the case of a vibration caused by a knockinput by a user, the direction of the vibration may be determinedaccording to the position of a part to which the knock is applied. Thatis, a vibration caused by a knock may be generated only in onedirection. For example, when a knock is applied to the door 20 installedon the front part of the home appliance 1, a vibration may be generatedonly in a front-to-rear direction. That is, the vibration may begenerated only in one axial direction of x, y, and z-axis directions.

In some implementations, when a knock is applied to the front part ofthe home appliance 1, it is assumed that a vibration occurs in the firstaxial direction (e.g., an x-axis direction). In some cases, thedirection of the vibration may vary depending on how the 3-axis sensormodule 111 is arranged.

In some implementations, when a user knocks on the door 20 or theviewing window 21 to check the inside of the reception space through theviewing window 21, a vibration may be generated only in the x-axisdirection by the knock and thus the 3-axis sensor module 111 may detectthe vibration of the x-axis direction.

In some implementations, in the case in which a knock is applied to thedoor 20 or the viewing window 21, a vibration may be generated in thex-axis direction by the knock, but vibrations caused by other factorsmay also be generated.

In some cases, the sensor microcomputer 114 can detect in advance thatthe direction of the vibration caused by the knock is the x-axisdirection. When the 3-axis sensor module 111 receives a vibrationdetection signal corresponding to the vibration of the x-axis direction,the sensor microcomputer 114 may check the pattern of the vibrationdetection signal to determine whether the vibration is generated by theknock.

When the sensor microcomputer 114 receives a vibration detection signalcorresponding to the vibration of the y or z-axis direction other thanthe x-axis direction, the sensor microcomputer 114 may determine thatthere is no vibration generated by a knock even if the pattern of thevibration detection signal is the same as the pattern of a vibrationdetection signal caused by the knock. In some cases, the sensormicrocomputer 114 can detect that the vibration caused by the knock isgenerated in the x-axis direction.

FIG. 21 illustrates the example of the vibration detection signals ofthree axial directions detected by the 3-axis sensor module, and FIG. 22illustrates the strengths of the signals by simplifying the vibrationdetection signals of three axial directions.

In some implementations, the 3-axis sensor module 111 is installed suchthat the direction of the first axis of three axes is in alignment withthe direction of a vibration generated by a knock, but when thealignment is misaligned for some reason, this can be automaticallycorrected.

For example, any one axis of the axes of the 3-axis sensor module 111can be arranged to coincide with the direction of gravity. Since the anyone axis is disposed in the direction of gravity, gravitationalacceleration may be measured in the direction of the associated axis,and when the gravitational acceleration measured by the 3-axis sensormodule 111 changes, the sensor microcomputer 114 may determine that thealignment of the any one axis disposed to coincide with the direction ofgravity is misaligned.

In some cases, the sensor microcomputer 114 can calculate eachgravitational acceleration of three axial directions measured by the3-axis sensor module 111, and calculate the degree of misalignment ofthe any one axis disposed to coincide with the direction of gravity.Additionally, the degree of the misalignment may be corrected on thebasis of a calculated value.

In some implementations, the 3-axis sensor module 111 may be affected bythe temperature of the surrounding area of the home appliance 1, so themagnitude of the vibration detection signals may be corrected accordingto the ambient temperature. In some implementations, correction valuesfor the sizes of the vibration detection signals may be preset inresponse to the ambient temperature, and according to these presetvalues, it can be possible to correct the sizes of the vibrationdetection signals according to the ambient temperature. In some cases,the home appliance 1 may include a temperature sensor which detects theambient temperature of the sensor assembly 110.

In some implementations, the home appliance 1 may include the firstreception space 23 defined inside the cabinet 10 constituting theexterior of the home appliance 1 such that objects can be received inthe first reception space 23.

One surface of the first reception space 23, that is, a front partthereof is preferably opened. The door 20 may be installed on the frontpart and be configured to open/close the first reception space 23.

The viewing window 21 may be mounted to at least a portion of the door20. A user may see the inside of the first reception space 23 from theoutside through the viewing window 21 without opening the door 20.

In some cases, the inside of the first reception space 23 may be dark ina state in which the door 20 is closed, and may not be accuratelychecked, so the lamp 160 may be installed inside the first receptionspace 23. Such a lamp 160 may be installed outside of the firstreception space 23 so as to emit light toward the inside of the firstreception space 23.

In some cases, since the inside of the reception space 23 may have ahigh temperature, the lamp 160 may be made of a material having highdurability against high temperature.

The lamp 160 may be turned on/off by a lighting part 180, and such alighting part 180 may be operated by the controller 150.

When the controller 150 is notified from the sensor assembly 110 that aknock is input by a user, the controller may operate the lighting part180 such that the lamp 160 is turned on.

The sensor assembly 110 may detect a vibration caused by a knock appliedto the home appliance 1. In addition, the sensor assembly 110 may alsodetect vibrations generated by various causes in the home appliance 1.

In some cases, the sensor assembly 110 may specifically distinguish anddetermine a vibration caused by a knock among various vibrations. Whendetermining that the vibration is generated by the knock, the sensorassembly 110 may notify this to the controller 150.

In some cases, the sensor assembly 110 may determine whether or not aknock is input on the basis of vibration detection signals correspondingto vibrations, and when vibration detection signals of a presetthreshold or more are continuously detected at regular time intervals,it may be determined that a vibration caused by a knock is generated.That is, it may be determined that a knock is applied.

For example, when a knock is applied with “knocking sounds” at regulartime intervals, the sizes of vibrations corresponding to “the knockingsounds” may be greater than or equal to a preset threshold, and thesizes of vibrations corresponding to regular time intervals which arenot the vibrations corresponding to “the knocking sounds” may be smallerthan the preset threshold.

Accordingly, the sensor assembly 110 can determine whether there is avibration generated by a knock by checking the pattern of a vibrationdetection signal.

In some implementations, in a state in which the lamp 160 is turned on,the controller 150 may allow the lamp 160 to be turned off when a user'sknock is input.

Furthermore, in a state in which the lamp 160 is turned on, when auser's knock is not input for a preset period of time, the controller150 may allow the lamp 160 to be turned off.

In some implementations, the home appliance 1 may further include a doorlock switch 120, a door switch 130, and a timer 140. These components120, 130, and 140 may transmit state information to the controller 150and may operate according to the control signal of the controller 150.

In some cases, the door lock switch 120 can perform a locking orunlocking function of the door 20 of the home appliance 1. When the homeappliance 1 is being used, the locking/unlocking of the door 20 may berequired to prevent accidents.

For example, in a case in which the home appliance 1 is an oven, whenfood is being cooked in the oven, the door 20 may be locked such thatthe door 20 is not opened. Conditions for maintaining the locked stateof the door 20 may be variously preset.

For example, while the self-clean function of a cooking compartment isbeing performed, high heat may be generated. For another example, whilethe washing machine performs washing, the washing machine may berequired to be locked.

In some cases, even if a knock is input while the door 20 is maintainedto be locked, the lamp 160 may not be turned on, but may be maintainedto be turned off. Accordingly, a situation in which the lamp 160 is notturned on even if a knock is detected in the turned-off state of thelamp 160 is referred to as “an exceptional situation”.

In some implementations, the exceptional situation may include, forexample, a self-clean situation for cleaning the inside of the cookingcompartment of an oven when the home appliance 1 is the oven.

In some cases, for example, the exceptional situation may include anopened state of the door, a state in which the self-clean function isbeing performed, a state in which the door is preset to be locked for apredetermined period of time after the self-clean function, a state inwhich the lamp is turned on by touching the button of the lamp, a statein which the setting of the knock-on function is off, and a state inwhich the lamp is blinking after the home appliance 1 is warmed up.

Further exceptional situations may be preset. In these exceptionalsituations, despite a user's knock, the lamp may not be turned on. Thisis intended to preset some exceptional situations in which the lamp isrequired to be prevented from being turned on despite a knock input forsafety or energy saving.

In some cases, the controller 150 may check whether the door 20 islocked through the door lock switch 120 and, at the same time, whetherthe home appliance 1 is in an exceptional situation. In theseexceptional situations, the controller 150 may not turn on the lamp 160.

In some implementations, the door lock switch 120 may transmitinformation on whether the door 20 is locked or unlocked to thecontroller 150 and, contrarily, may perform the locking and unlocking ofthe door 20 according to a control signal transmitted from thecontroller 150.

The door switch 130 may perform the opening/closing of the door 20. Whenthe door switch 130 is turned on, this means that the door 20 is opened,but when the switch 130 is turned off, this means that the door 20 isclosed.

In some implementations, the door switch 130 may transmit information onwhether the door 20 is in an opened or closed state to the controller150.

The operation of the home appliance 1 will be described in detail withreference to FIG. 23 .

In some implementations, in order to see the inside of the firstreception space 23 of the home appliance 1 from the outside through theviewing window 21 mounted on the door 20, a user can knock on theviewing window 21.

In some cases, the type of knock has not been specifically preset, butmay generally be preset as “knocking sounds”. In some cases, the knockmay be preset in a different manner.

In some implementations, “knocking sounds” are defined as knocks, and “afirst knocking sound” as a knock by first knocking is referred to as “a1st knock”, and “a second knocking sound” as a knock by second knockingis referred to as “a 2nd knock”.

In some implementations, a knock can be applied to the viewing window 21mounted on the door 20, but the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. A position for knocking may be variously preset. [S110: a knockinput step]

In some implementations, when a knock is applied to the viewing window21, a vibration may be generated on the associated position of theviewing window to which the knock is applied. In this case, thevibration generated on the associated position of the viewing window 21may have a predetermined directionality. For example, on the associatedposition, the vibration may be generated in a front-to-rear direction.

In some cases, the front-to-rear direction of a vibration is referred toas the x-axis direction of the 3-axis sensor module 111. Accordingly,when a knock is applied to the viewing window 21, vibration may begenerated in the x-axis direction.

In some cases, when a knock is applied with “knocking sounds” at regulartime intervals, two vibrations may be generated respectively by the 1stknock and the 2nd knock. Furthermore, after the two vibrations, smallresidual vibrations may subsequently occur. [S120: a vibrationgeneration step]

The vibrations generated in this manner may be transmitted through aplurality of solid parts constituting the home appliance 1 to the entireportion of the home appliance 1.

In some implementations, the home appliance 1 may comprise a pluralityof large and small solid parts physically coupled with each other, sowhen a vibration is generated at any one position of the home appliance1, the vibration may be transmitted through the plurality of solid partsto the entirety of the home appliance 1.

In some cases, the intensity of the vibration may be attenuated to someextent depending on the connection state of solid parts and a distancein which the vibration is transmitted, but even minute vibrations may betransmitted because each of the solid parts is physically connected toeach other. [S130: a vibration transmission step]

Vibrations transmitted through solid parts may be transmitted even tothe sensor assembly 110 installed at a position apart from the door 20by a predetermined distance. Accordingly, the sensor assembly 110 maydetect the transmitted vibrations.

In some cases, a vibration caused by a knock applied to the viewingwindow 21 may be generated in the x-axis direction, and the sensorassembly 110 may detect the vibration of the x-axis direction.

In some cases, the sensor assembly 110 may include the 3-axis sensormodule 111. The 3-axis sensor module 111 can detect the vibrations ofthree axial directions, that is, the vibrations of x, y, and z-axisdirections.

In some cases, when the vibration of the x-axis direction generated by aknock applied to the viewing window 21 is transmitted, the 3-axis sensormodule 111 may detect the vibration of the x-axis direction. In somecases, the 3-axis sensor module 111 may be disposed such that the x-axisdirection is in alignment with the direction of vibration caused by aknock.

In this case, in addition to vibration generated by a knock, vibrationsof x, y, and z-axis directions generated by any cause may occur, and the3-axis sensor module 111 may detect all these vibrations.

The 3-axis sensor module 111 may generate vibration detection signalscorresponding to the detected vibrations. In some cases, the generatedvibration detection signals may be input through the filter part 112 andthe amplifying part 113 to the sensor microcomputer 114.

The sensor microcomputer 114 may analyze the vibration detection signalsof x, y, and z-axis directions and may determine whether a user's knockis input, that is, whether a vibration by a user's knock is generated.When it is determined that a user's knock is input, the sensormicrocomputer 114 may notify the controller 150 that a user's knock isinput. [S140: a vibration detection step]

In some implementations, the controller 150 which controls the overalloperation of the home appliance 1 may turn on/off the lamp 160 whenreceiving a user's knock input from the sensor assembly 110. When avibration by a knock is detected in the turned-off state of the lamp160, the lamp 160 may be turned on. When a vibration by a knock isdetected in the turned-on state of the lamp 160, the lamp 160 may beturned off.

For example, in the turned-off state of the lamp 160, when the sensorassembly 110 determines that a user's knock is input by the userknocking on the viewing window 21, the controller 150 may turn on thelamp 160.

In addition, in the turned-on state of the lamp 160, when the sensorassembly 110 determines that a user's knock is input by the userknocking on the viewing window 21, the controller 150 may operate thelighting part 180 to turn off the lamp 160. [S150: a step of operatingthe lamp]

In some implementations, the controller 150 may determine whether apreset predetermined period of time elapses in the turned-on state ofthe lamp 160. Whether the preset predetermined time has elapsed may bechecked by using the timer 140. When the predetermined time elapses, thelamp 160 may be automatically turned off.

In some cases, in order to check the inside of the first reception space23 through the viewing window 21, a user may knock on the viewing window21 to turn on the lamp 160. After that, even if the user forgot to turnoff the lamp 160, the lamp 160 may be automatically turned off after apredetermined period of time, so unnecessary power consumption can beprevented.

In some cases, a user may see the inside of the first reception space 23through the viewing window 21 mounted to the door 20 by the user'ssimple knock.

The vibration detection step S140 will be described in detail withreference to FIGS. 24 to 26 .

In some implementations, the sensor microcomputer 114 can analyzevibration detection signals of x, y, and z-axis directions and candetermine whether a user's knock is input, that is, a vibration causedby a user's knock is generated. When it is determined that a user'sknock is input, the sensor microcomputer 114 may output a knock-onsignal to the controller 150 such that the sensor microcomputer 114notifies to the controller 150 that a user's knock is input.

When it is assumed that the direction of a vibration caused by a knockis an x-axis direction, the sensor microcomputer 114 may extract andanalyze a vibration detection signal of the x-axis direction even ifvibration detection signals of x, y, and z-axis directions aresimultaneously input. In some cases, this is intended to consider onlythe vibration of the x-axis direction since vibration generated by aknock applied to the viewing window 21 is generated in the x-axisdirection.

The sensor microcomputer 114 may know in advance that only the vibrationof the x-axis direction is a vibration caused by a knock applied to theviewing window 21 and thus may analyze the vibration detection signal ofthe x-axis direction. In some cases, the sensor microcomputer 114 maycompare the vibration detection signal of the x-axis direction with thevibration detection signals of the y and z-axis directions.

In some cases, the vibration detection signal of the x-axis directioncan be a signal corresponding to a vibration caused by a knock but avibration may be generated in the x-axis direction even by thevibrations of the y and z-axis directions.

In some implementations, it can be determined whether the size of thevibration detection signal of the x-axis direction is at least the sizeof the first threshold Zth1. The size of the vibration detection signalof the x-axis direction may correspond to the intensity of a knock. Forexample, when a knock is applied hard, the size of the vibrationdetection signal may increase.

In addition, the vibration detection signal may correspond to avibration caused by a knock, and residual vibrations may occur in theaftermath of the vibration caused by the knock. Accordingly, thevibration detection signal may include signals corresponding to theresidual vibrations.

In some cases, a time at which vibrations 201 caused by the 1st knockand residual vibrations 202 are generated may be referred to as a 1stknock holding time which is denoted as T1.

When there is a vibration detection signal having a size that is greaterthan or equal to Zth1, waiting may be performed for a preset period oftime. For example, when a knock is applied with “a knocking sounds”,there may be a time interval between the 1st knock and the 2nd knock.Such a time interval may be referred to as the preset period of time andmay be denoted as T2. In some cases, T2 can be time taken to wait forthe input of the 2nd knock after the 1st knock is input.

In T2, vibration detection signals that are smaller than Zth1 may begenerated. In some cases, after the vibration 201 of the 1st knock isgenerated in T1, a vibration may not be generated or minute vibrations203 smaller than Zth1 may be generated until a vibration 204 of the 2ndknock is generated.

The vibrations 203 in T2 may be minute vibrations generated by otherfactors after the vibration 201 generated by the 1st knock and theresidual vibrations 202 in T1 disappear.

After T2, it may be determined whether there is a vibration detectionsignal of a preset second threshold Zth2 or more. After T2, thevibration detection signal of the Zth2 or more may be generated by the2nd knock.

In some cases, vibration 204 caused by the 2nd knock and residualvibrations 205 may be referred to as a 2nd knock holding time which isdenoted as T3.

The vibration 204 generated by the 2nd knock and the residual vibrations205 may have a pattern similar to the pattern of the vibration 201generated by the 1st knock and the residual vibrations 202. In somecases, the sizes of the vibration detection signals of the vibrationsmay be changed according to the intensity of each of the 1st knock andthe 2nd knock.

When the vibration detection signal generated by the 2nd knock havingthe size of Zth2 or more is detected, waiting may be performed for apredetermined period of time, which may be a period of time T3 for whichthe residual vibrations 205 decrease.

In some cases, when a knock is applied with “knocking sounds”, apredetermined period of waiting time after the 2nd knock may be denotedas T4. The period of waiting time of T4 may be a period of time taken tocompare the vibration detection signal of the x-axis direction with thevibration detection signals of the y and z-axis directions differentfrom the x-axis direction after the 2nd knock.

In some implementations, for example, the direction of the x-axisdirection is the direction of vibration generated by a knock, and thusthe vibration detection signal of the x-axis direction may be analyzedsuch that the vibration detection signal of the x-axis direction iscompared with the vibration detection signals of the y and z-axisdirections in T4.

In some cases, the vibration detection signal of the x-axis directionmay be a signal corresponding to a vibration generated by a knock butmay be a signal generated by the aftermath of vibrations generated inthe y and z-axis directions.

For example, in a case in which a user applies an impact to the side ortop part of the cabinet or generates a strong footstep, while strongvibrations are generated in the y and z-axis directions, a vibration maybe generated even in the x-axis direction.

In some cases, even if a vibration detection signal of the x-axisdirection is detected, the vibration detection signal may not be thevibration detection signal caused by a knock, so the vibration detectionsignal of the x-axis direction caused by the vibrations generated in they and z-axis directions is required to be excluded from the knock-onsignal.

In some implementations, the vibration detection signal of the x-axisdirection may be compared with the vibration detection signals of the yand z-axis directions, and when the maximum value of a vibrationdetection signal of any one axial direction of the y and z-axisdirections is greater than the maximum value of the vibration detectionsignal of the x-axis direction, it may be determined that there is novibration generated by a knock. In some cases, this excludes a case inwhich vibration of the x-axis direction is detected by strong knocksinput in the y and z-axis directions.

In some implementations, T4, that is, a period of time at which thevibration detection signal of the x-axis direction and the vibrationdetection signals of the y and z-axis directions are compared with eachother may be a period of time between T2 and T3.

After T4, there may be a period of time for which the vibration causedby the 2nd knock disappears. Such a period of time may be denoted as T5,at which it is checked that no vibration is generated any longer in thex-axis direction. In some cases, after the period of time of T5 elapses,it may be checked that no vibration is generated any longer.

In T5, a vibration generated by a knock may disappear but a vibrationcaused by another factor may be generated. In some cases, in T5, thesize of a third threshold Zth3 and the size of a vibration detectionsignal of the vibration by the another factor may be compared with eachother, and when the size of the vibration detection signal is smallerthan Zth2, it may be determined that the vibration by the 2nd knock isdisappearing. In some cases, the vibration by the 2nd knock may bedisappearing but minute vibrations 206 caused by other factors may begenerated. When these minute vibrations 206 are smaller than Zth3, theminute vibrations 206 may not affect knock detection.

In some implementations, when vibrations 207 greater than Zth3 aredetected in T5, the vibrations 207 may be vibrations by other factors,so although sizes of the vibrations 207 are greater than Zth1 and Zth2,the vibrations 207 may not be detected as vibrations by a knock. Zth3may be preset to be 40% to 70% of Zth2 and is preferably preset to be60% of Zth2.

In some cases, there can be (i) T1, wherein a vibration detection signalof the x-axis direction is detected, and the vibration detection signal201 of Zth1 or more is generated by the 1st knock and the vibrationdetection signals 202 are generated by residual vibrations due to the1st knock, (ii) followed by T2, in which vibration detection signals 203generated by minute vibrations are detected while waiting for the inputof the 2nd knock, next, (iii) T3 in which the vibration detection signal204 of Zth2 or more is generated by the 2nd knock and vibrationdetection signals 205 generated by residual vibrations of the 2nd knock,and afterward, (iv) T5 in which vibration detection signals 206generated by minute vibrations while the vibrations by the 2nd knock aredisappearing, wherein the sensor microcomputer 114 may determine that aknock having “knocking sounds” is applied to the viewing window 21 andin this case, may transmit a knock-on signal to the controller 150 tonotify the occurrence of the knock to the controller 150.

As illustrated in FIG. 25 , in some implementations, in the case of anormal knock, in T1, a vibration detection signal 301 may be generatedby a 1st knock and the vibration detection signals 302 may be generatedby residual vibrations due to the 1st knock. T2 may be a period of timefor waiting for a 2nd knock after the 1st knock and in T2, minutevibrations may be detected or may not be detected.

After T2 elapses, a vibration detection signal 303 may be generated bythe 2nd knock and vibration detection signals 304 may be generated byresidual vibrations due to the 2nd knock.

In the case of such a normal knock, T2 may be secured for apredetermined period of time. The interval of T2 may be determinedaccording to the intensity of the 1st knock.

When the vibration detection signal 301 generated by the 1st knock isnot large, that is, when the 1st knock is applied somewhat weakly, Zth1and Zth2 may be preset to have the same sizes.

In some implementations, as illustrated in FIG. 26 , in a case in whicha 1st knock is input somewhat strongly, after a vibration detectionsignal 305 by the 1st knock and vibration detection signals 306 byresidual vibrations due to the 1st knock are generated in T1, avibration detection signal 307 exceeding Zth2 and vibration detectionsignals 308 of residual vibrations thereof may be generated in T2.

In some cases, the vibration detection signals 306 and 307 may overlapwith each other. For example, the vibration detection signals 307 and308 are not signals generated after T2 elapses and thus are not normalknock signals as illustrated in FIG. 25 . The input of the 1st knock isstrong, and thus the decreasing time of vibration by the 1st knockincreases, so although only the signal of the 1st knock is actuallygenerated, two knock signals may appear to be generated.

In some cases, when the vibration detection signal 305 of Zth1 or moreis generated and, afterward, the vibration detection signal 307 of Zth2or more is generated, the sensor microcomputer 114 may determine thatthere is a knock input, so to prevent this, Zth2 may be preset to belarger than Zth1.

In some implementations, Zth2 may be preset to be equal to or greaterthan Zth1 and may be required to consider the intensity of the 1stknock, so Zth2 may be preset to be proportional to the size of thevibration detection signal by the 1st knock. That is, Zth2 may be presetvariably in proportion to the size of the vibration detection signal bythe 1st knock.

Referring to FIG. 27 , in some cases, a user may knock on the viewingwindow 21 to see the inside of the first reception space 23 of the homeappliance 1 from the outside through the viewing window 21 mounted tothe door 20. [S210: a knock input step]

When a knock is applied to the viewing window 21, the associatedposition to which the knock is applied may be a vibration source and avibration may be generated in the associated position. In some cases,the vibration generated at the associated position of the viewing window21 may have a predetermined directionality. That is, at the associatedposition, the vibration may be generated in a front-to-rear direction.

In some implementations, the front-to-rear direction of the vibration isreferred to as the x-axis direction of the 3-axis sensor module 111. Forexample, when a knock is applied to the viewing window 21, a vibrationmay be generated in the x-axis direction. [S220: a vibration generationstep]

The vibrations generated in this manner may be transmitted through aplurality of solid parts constituting the home appliance 1 to the entireportion of the home appliance 1.

In some cases, the home appliance 1 may be composed of a plurality oflarge and small solid parts physically coupled with each other, so whena vibration is generated at any one position of the home appliance 1,the vibration may be transmitted through the plurality of solid parts tothe entirety of the home appliance 1.

In some cases, the intensity of a vibration may be attenuated to someextent depending on the connection state of solid parts and a distancein which the vibration is transmitted, but even minute vibrations may betransmitted because each of the solid parts is physically connected toeach other. [S230: a vibration transmission step]

Vibrations transmitted through solid parts can be transmitted even tothe sensor assembly 110 installed at a position apart from the door 20by a predetermined distance. In some cases, the sensor assembly 110 maydetect the transmitted vibrations.

In some cases, a vibration caused by a knock applied to the viewingwindow 21 may be generated in the x-axis direction, and the sensorassembly 110 may detect the vibration of the x-axis direction.

Specifically, the sensor assembly 110 may include the 3-axis sensormodule 111. The 3-axis sensor module 111 may detect the vibrations ofthree axial directions, that is, the vibrations of x, y, and z-axisdirections.

For example, when the vibration of the x-axis direction generated by aknock applied to the viewing window 21 is transmitted, the 3-axis sensormodule 111 may detect the vibration of the x-axis direction.

In some cases, in addition to vibration generated by a knock, vibrationsof x, y, and z-axis directions generated by any cause may occur, and the3-axis sensor module 111 may detect all these vibrations.

The 3-axis sensor module 111 may generate vibration detection signalscorresponding to the detected vibrations. The vibration detectionsignals may be input through the filter part 112 and the amplifying part113 to the sensor microcomputer 114.

The sensor microcomputer 114 may analyze the vibration detection signalsof x, y, and z-axis directions and may determine whether a user's knockis input, that is, whether a vibration by a user's knock is generated.When it is determined that a user's knock is input, the sensormicrocomputer 114 may notify the controller 150 that a user's knock isinput. [S240: a vibration detection step]

When the vibration detection signals of x, y, and z-axis directions areinput, the sensor microcomputer 114 may extract only the vibrationdetection signal of the x-axis direction. In some cases, this isintended to consider only the vibration of the x-axis direction sincethe direction of vibration by a knock applied to the viewing window 21is the x-axis direction.

In some implementations, the sensor microcomputer 114 may determine thatonly the vibration of the x-axis direction is the vibration of a knockapplied to the viewing window 21, and thus may not primarily considervibration detection signals generated by vibrations of y and z-axisdirections. Afterward, the sensor microcomputer 114 may compare thevibration detection signal of the x-axis direction with the vibrationdetection signals of the y and z-axis directions.

In some cases, it may be determined that there is a vibration by a knockthrough the detected vibration detection signal of the x-axis direction.Such determination may be performed by using the pattern of thevibration detection signal of the x-axis direction as illustrated inFIGS. 24 to 26 . That is, in T1 to T5, the vibration detection signalsand Zth1 to Zth3 may be compared with each other to determine whether avibration is generated by a knock. [S250: a step of determining whetherthere is vibration by a knock]

When it is determined that there is a vibration by a knock, it may bedetermined whether there is an exceptional situation in which the lamp160 is required not to be turned on. For example, in a specificsituation in which self-cleaning is performed in an oven, the lamp 160is required not to be turned on even if a knock is input by a user.[S260: a step of determining whether there is an exceptional situation]

When it is determined that there is an exceptional situation, whetherthe door 20 is opened or closed may be determined. For example, when thedoor 20 is opened, the lamp 160 is not required to be turned on, butwhen the door 20 is closed, the lamp 160 is required to be turned on.Whether the door 20 is opened or closed may affect the turning on/off ofthe lamp 160, so whether the door 20 is opened may be determined. [S270:a step of determining whether a door is opened]

In some cases, when it is determined that there is a vibration generatedby a knock and when the door 20 is closed in a state which is not anexceptional situation, whether the lamp 160 is turned on/off may bechecked. [S280: a step of checking the turned on/off state of a lamp]

When the lamp 160 is turned off, the lamp 160 may be turned on. In somecases, this is intended to illuminate the first reception space 23 byturning on the lamp 160 such that the inside of the first receptionspace 23 can be seen from the outside since the inside of the firstreception space 23 cannot be seen from the outside in the turned-offstate of the lamp 160. [S290: a step of turning on the lamp]

Contrarily, when the lamp 160 is turned on, the lamp 160 may be turnedoff. In some cases, this is intended to turn off the lamp 160 by a knockafter a user completely checks the inside of the first reception space23. [S300: a step of turning off the lamp]

In some implementations, when it is determined that there is novibration by a knock, there is an exceptional situation, or the door 20is opened, a vibration detection signal may be ignored and the operationprocess of the home appliance may stop. [S301: a step of ignoring avibration signal]

In some cases, in T1 to T5, vibrations by other factors as well as avibration corresponding to a user's knock may be generated. Vibrationdetection signals by these vibrations generated by the other factors maybe included in the vibration detection signal of the x-axis direction.

In some cases, the sensor microcomputer 114 may know that there is avibration generated by a knock having “knocking sounds” when there isthe predetermined pattern of the vibration detection signal of thex-axis direction in T1 to T5.

The first threshold Zth1 may be preset as a fixed value, and the secondand third thresholds Zth2 and Zth3 can be changed. These second andthird thresholds Zth2 and Zth3 can be dynamically preset according tothe size of the first threshold Zth1. In some cases, the second andthird thresholds Zth2 and Zth3 can be dynamically preset in proportionto the size of the vibration detection signal of the 1st knock.

In some cases, although Zth1 has a fixed value, Zth1 may be preset as avalue different from the value of the example described above. Forexample, when Zth1 is preset to have a larger value, Zth2 and Zth3 maybe preset to have larger values in proportion to the value of Zth1.

In some cases, Zth2 is preferably preset to be equal to or larger thanZth1. Zth1 is a threshold for determining whether there is a 1st knock,and Zth2 is a threshold for determining whether there is a 2nd knock. Insome cases, in order to exclude a case in which the 1st knock is inputstrongly, and a vibration generated by the 1st knock is misdetected as avibration generated by the 2nd knock's input, the value of Zth2 can bepreset to be greater such that the standard of determination for the 2ndknock is further raised. Accordingly, a more accurate determination forthe 2nd knock may be performed.

In some implementations, even if the pattern of the vibration detectionsignal appears in the same manner even in the y or z-axis direction, thesensor microcomputer 114 may not determine that there is a vibrationgenerated by a knock. This is because a vibration caused by a knockapplied to the viewing window 21 has only the direction of the x-axis.However, the vibration of the x-axis direction may be affected byvibrations of the y and z-axis directions and thus the vibrations of they and z-axis directions may be misdetected as the vibration by theknock. Therefore, the vibration detection signal of the x-axis directionmay be compared with the vibration detection signals of the y and z-axisdirections.

In some cases, even if vibration detection signals having sizes of Zth1or Zth2 or more are continuously generated at predetermined intervals inT1 to T4, the patterns of the vibration detection signals may becompared with the pattern of a vibration by a knock to determine whetherthere is a knock input.

Referring to FIG. 28 , in some implementations, when a user knocks onthe door 20, the sensor assembly 110 may detect a vibration generated bythe knock. When the sensor assembly 110 detects the vibration caused bythe user's knock, the sensor assembly 110 may transmit a knock-on signalto the controller 150. [S310: a step of transmitting a knock-on signal]

When the controller 150 receives the knock-on signal from the sensorassembly 110, the controller 150 may determine whether the knock-onfunction is preset to be turned on. The knock-on function is a functionof turning on/off the lamp 160 by a user's knock.

In some cases, a knock-on function may be preset by touching theknock-on button 51 displayed on the display part 50. When the knock-onbutton 51 is touched, the knock-on function may be preset to be turnedon, and when the knock-on button 51 is touched once more, the knock-onfunction may be preset to be turned off.

When the knock-on function is preset to be turned on, the lamp 160 maybe turned on/off by a user's knock, but when the knock-on function ispreset to be turned off, the lamp 160 may not be turned on/off by auser's knock. In some cases, in the state in which the knock-on functionis turned off, the on/off function of the lamp 160 may not be performedeven if a user's knock is applied.

Accordingly, when the knock-on signal is transmitted to the controller150, the controller 150 may first check whether the knock-on function ispreset to be turned on before turning on/off the lamp 160. [S320: a stepof determining the presetting of the knock-on function]

In some cases, when the knock-on function is preset to be turned on, itmay be determined whether the present state of the home appliance 1 isunder a self-clean operation. The self-clean function refers toperforming a self-cleaning process such as disinfecting and cleaning thefirst reception space 23 of the home appliance 1.

For example, in a case in which the home appliance 1 is an oven, acooking compartment which is the first reception space 23 may be cleanedwith high heat. In some cases, the inside of the cooking compartment canbe in a very high temperature state, and it can be preferable that thedoor 20 is locked. Furthermore, while the reception space 23 is under aself-clean operation, the lamp 160 installed in the reception space 23preferably does not operate.

In some implementations, in the state in which the knock-on signal istransmitted to the controller 150 and the knock-on function is preset tobe turned on, the controller 150 is required to check whether the homeappliance is under the self-clean operation before turning on/off thelamp 160. [S330: a step of checking whether self-clean operation isunderway]

In some cases, when the knock-on function is preset to be turned on andthe self-clean operation is not underway, it may be determined whetherthe door lock switch 120 is turned on. The door lock switch 120 may lockor unlock the door 20 in a specific situation.

For example, after self-cleaning the cooking compartment by high heat,the door 20 may be maintained to be locked for safety of a user whilethe temperature of the inside of the cooking compartment decreases to apredetermined temperature or less.

In some cases, the controller 150 may control the door lock switch 120to lock the door 20. Accordingly, after the self-clean operation, theknock-on function may not be operated for a predetermined period oftime.

In some cases, when the knock-on signal is input, the controller 150 maydetermine the state of the door lock switch 120, that is, whether thedoor is locked or unlocked before turning on/off the lamp 160. [S340: astep of determining whether the door lock switch is turned on]

In some cases, when the door 20 is unlocked, the controller 150 maydetermine whether the door 20 is opened or closed by using the signal ofthe door switch 130.

For example, when the door 20 is opened, the lamp 160 is not required tobe turned on. The lamp 160 is required to be turned on only when thedoor 20 is closed.

In some cases, whether the door 20 is opened or closed may affect theturning on/off of the lamp 160, so the controller 150 may determinewhether the door 20 is opened. Whether the door 20 is opened or closedcan be determined by a signal transmitted by the door switch 130. [S350:a step of determining whether the door is opened or closed]

In some cases, when the door 20 is closed, the turned on/off state ofthe lamp 160 may be checked to determine whether to turn on/off the lamp160. [S360: a step of checking the turned on/off state of the lamp]

When the lamp 160 is turned off, the lamp 160 may be turned on. In somecases, this is intended to illuminate the first reception space 23 byturning on the lamp 160 such that the inside of the first receptionspace 23 can be seen from the outside because the inside of the firstreception space 23 cannot be seen from the outside when the lamp 160 isturned off. [S370: a step of turning on the lamp]

Contrarily, when the lamp 160 is turned on, the lamp 160 may be turnedoff. In some cases, this is intended to turn off the lamp 160 by a knockafter a user completely checks the inside of the first reception space23. [S380: a step of turning off the lamp]

Meanwhile, in a state in which the controller 150 receives the knock-onsignal, when the knock-on function is preset to be turned off, theself-clean operation is underway, the door is locked, or the door isopened, the controller 150 may ignore the received knock-on signal.

In some cases, this is intended to not turn on/off the lamp 160 even ifa user's knock is input in some exceptional situations described above.[S390: a step of ignoring a knock-on signal]

In some implementations, when the knock-on function is turned off, theself-clean operation is underway, the door is locked, and the door isopened as described above, the lamp 160 may not be turned on/off even ifa knock is input.

FIG. 29 is a graph illustrating an example of an experimental result ofvibration detection signals for describing knock input detection in ahome appliance, and FIGS. 30 and 31 are graphs illustrating an exampleof the experimental results of vibration detection signals fordescribing no detection of a knock input in the home appliance. In FIGS.29 to 31 , the experimental results in which the vibration detectionsignals are detected only on the x and y axes are illustrated.

In some cases, referring to FIG. 29 , for vibration detection signals ofan x-axis direction, a vibration detection signal of the first thresholdZth1 or more is generated in T1, a vibration detection signal of thesecond threshold Zth2 or more is generated in T3 after the waitingperiod of time of T2, and a vibration detection signal of the thirdthreshold Zth3 or less is generated in T5, so the sensor microcomputer114 may determine that the patterns are the patterns of vibrationdetection signals generated by a knock.

In some cases, the vibration detection signal in T1 is generated by the1st knock, and the vibration detection signal in T3 is generated by the2nd knock. In the experiment of FIG. 29 , the 1st knock is not inputstrongly, so Zth1 and Zth2 are preset to have the same values.

Accordingly, the sensor microcomputer 114 may detect that a knock isapplied to the viewing window 21 and may transmit a knock-on signal tothe controller 150, and thus the controller 150 may turn on or off thelamp 160.

In some cases, referring to FIG. 30 , for vibration detection signals ofan x-axis direction, a vibration detection signal of Zth1 or more isgenerated in T1, afterward a vibration detection signal of Zth2 or moreis generated in T3 after T2.

However, in T1 and T3, the maximum value of the vibration detectionsignal of a y-axis direction is larger than the maximum value of thevibration detection signals of the x-axis direction, so although thevibration detection signals of the x-axis direction are generated tohave the patterns of the vibration detection signals by a knock, theexperimental result of FIG. 30 is that no vibration by a knock isdetected. The reason is that the vibration of the y-axis direction ismisdetected as the vibration of the x-axis direction.

In some cases, the sensor microcomputer 114 may detect that there is novibration detection signal by a knock and may not output a knock-onsignal to the controller 150. The controller 150 may not output acontrol signal to the lamp 160.

In some cases, referring to FIG. 31 , for vibration detection signals ofan x-axis direction, a vibration detection signal of Zth1 or more isgenerated in T1, afterward a vibration detection signal of Zth2 or moreis generated in T3 after T2, but a vibration detection signal largerthan Zth3 is generated in T5. Accordingly, although the vibrationdetection signals of an x-axis direction are generated to have thepatterns of vibration detection signals by a knock, the experimentalresult of FIG. 31 is that no vibration by a knock is detected.

That is, although T5 is a section in which a vibration (indicated by acircle) by the 2nd knock disappears, a vibration is continuouslygenerating, so it may not be determined that a vibration by a knock isgenerated.

In some cases, the sensor microcomputer 114 may detect that there is novibration detection signal by a knock, and may not output a knock-onsignal to the controller 150. The controller 150 may not output acontrol signal to the lamp 160.

In some implementations, a home appliance can comprises a viewing windowthat is mounted on the door of the front surface of the home appliance,and wherein when a knock is applied to the viewing window, a vibrationby the knock is detected, and the lamp installed in the reception spacedefined inside the home appliance is turned on to illuminate the insideof the reception space such that the inside of the reception space canbe seen from the outside through the viewing window.

In some cases, when a knock is applied to the viewing window, avibration may be generated in a specific direction due to the knock, andthe sensor assembly may detect a vibration detection signalcorresponding to the vibration of such a specific direction and maycompare the vibration detection signal with the pattern of a vibrationdetection signal due to the knock to determine whether the knock isinput.

Particularly, a vibration by a knock may be generated in a specificdirection, and thus vibrations generated in other directions may not beconsidered. For example, when the direction of a vibration by a factoris different from the direction of a vibration by a knock even if thepattern of a vibration detection signal by the factor is the same as thepattern of a vibration detection signal by the knock, the vibration bythe factor may be ignored.

In some implementations, in order to accurately detect thedirectionality of vibrations and minute vibrations, the 3-axisacceleration sensor may be used. In some cases, the sensor microcomputercan determine whether there is a vibration generated by a knock byapplying vibration detection signals detected by the 3-axis accelerationsensor to the patterns of T1 to T5.

When it is determined that there is a vibration generated by the knock,the controller 150 may turn on/off the lamp 160. When a knock is inputin the turned-off state of the lamp 160, the controller 150 may turn onthe lamp 160, and contrarily, when a knock is input in the turned-onstate of the lamp 160, the controller 150 may turn may turn off the lamp160.

In some implementations, the home appliance 1 may have various shapes,and regardless of the shape of the home appliance 1, the sensor assembly110 can be installed at a specific position at the home appliance 1.

Although the implementations of the present disclosure have beendescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, the presentdisclosure is not limited to the above implementations and may beprovided in various different forms.

Those skilled in the art will be able to understand that the presentdisclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without changing thetechnical idea or essential characteristics of the present disclosure.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A home appliance comprising: a cabinet defining areception space therein, a front plate disposed at a front part of thereception space and having an opening part, a door configured to openand close the opening part, the door having a viewing window provided atthe door, a sensor assembly configured to detect a vibration and outputa corresponding vibration signal, a lamp configured to illuminate aninside of the reception space, and a controller configured to operatethe lamp based on the vibration signal output by the sensor assembly.17. The home appliance of claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly isdisposed at the front plate.
 18. The home appliance of claim 1, whereina hinge bracket is disposed at a rear surface of the front plate, thehinge bracket supporting the front plate.
 19. The home appliance ofclaim 3, wherein the sensor assembly is disposed at the hinge bracket.20. The home appliance of claim 3, wherein the sensor assembly isdisposed at the rear surface of the front plate and is in contact withthe hinge bracket.
 21. The home appliance of claim 1, wherein the sensorassembly comprises: a base on which a PCB substrate is provided, and aprotruding part provided at a rear surface of the base, wherein theprotruding part is coupled to a rear surface of the front plate by beingin contact therewith, and the rear surface of the base is spaced apartfrom the rear surface of the front plate by a predetermined distance.22. The home appliance of claim 6, wherein the sensor assembly furthercomprises a bent part which protrudes in a lateral direction of the baseand is bent in multiple steps, wherein the bent part is in contact witha hinge bracket.
 23. The home appliance of claim 1, wherein a hinge armis disposed at a front surface of the front plate and configured torotate the door.
 24. The home appliance of claim 8, wherein the sensorassembly is disposed to be in contact with the hinge arm.
 25. The homeappliance of claim 8, wherein the sensor assembly is disposed at a rearsurface of the front plate and is in contact with the hinge arm.
 26. Thehome appliance of claim 8, wherein an end part of the hinge arm passesthrough the front surface of the front plate and a rear surface of thefront plate through a through hole defined in the front plate.
 27. Thehome appliance of claim 8, wherein the hinge arm comprises a first hingeextension part disposed at the front surface of the front plate, and asecond hinge extension part disposed at the rear surface of the frontplate.
 28. The home appliance of claim 8, wherein a hinge bracket isdisposed at a rear surface of the front plate, the hinge bracket beingcoupled to the hinge arm and supporting the front plate.
 29. The homeappliance of claim 13, wherein the sensor assembly is disposed at thehinge bracket.
 30. The home appliance of claim 13, wherein the sensorassembly is disposed at the rear surface of the front plate and is incontact with the hinge bracket.
 31. The home appliance of claim 1,wherein the vibration detected by the sensor assembly is generated by auser's knock applied to the door, and the controller is configured toturn on the lamp based on the controller receiving the correspondingvibration signal and the lamp being in a turned-off state.
 32. The homeappliance of claim 1, wherein the vibration detected by the sensorassembly is generated by a user's knock applied to the door, and thecontroller is configured to turn off the lamp based on the controllerreceiving the corresponding vibration signal and the lamp being in aturned-on state.
 33. The home appliance of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to turn off the lamp based on a predeterminedperiod of time elapsing after the lamp is turned on.